400 Years Since 1619: 'Too Black,' Too 'Difficult,' Too Honest: Why Gabrielle Union's Firing Feels Painfully Familiar to Black Women

Growing up, I was constantly told to “shhh!” Whether I was right or wrong, happy or in distress, I was repeatedly reminded to lower my voice and take up less space—even while being simultaneously assured that I could be anything I wanted to be and that my gifts were worth sharing with the world. Granted, I was a…