Inspired by the Hairpin’s Six Fairy Tales for the Modern Woman,
I.
Once upon a time a Black graduate student attended class as she worked towards her PhD in Physics. During the class she raised her hand to ask a question. Her question was taken seriously by the professor and given careful consideration by her fellow students.
The End.
II.
Once upon a time a there were three little girls, a little Black girl, a little Indian girl, and a little Vietnamese girl and they were the best of friends. At lunch they would gather to compare stories and giggle over their lunch boxes that displayed their favorite Black, Indian, and Vietnamese cartoon icons.
The End.
III.
Once upon a time a Japanese woman went to a trivia night with a group of acquaintances and when a question that required some math came up the entire group didn’t immediately turn to her and expect her to know the answer within seconds.
The End.
IV.
Once upon a time a Black woman went dancing at a nightclub and met several men that she had fun with throughout the night and not one of them told her that she was pretty despite or because of her skin color.
The End.
V.
Once upon a time a Mexican woman was playing in a park with her mixed-race son and no one asked her if she was his nanny.
The End.
VI.
Once upon a time a Black woman wanted to sell her eggs to help pay for her last semester of college like many of her White friends had done. She was able to do so and avoided incurring any debt for her college education.
The End.
VII.
Once upon a time a Dominican woman told her White friend about a problem she was having at work because her boss kept trying to speak Spanish at her even though neither one of them spoke the language. Her friend did not try to compare it to the time her boss kept scheduling client meetings over a game of golf, a game she did not enjoy. She just listened.
The End.
VIII.
One time an Indian girl asked her White college roommate to stop casually wearing bindis to parties. Her roommate apologized and didn’t wear a bindi again until the Indian girl’s wedding ten years later.
The End.
(Image: The Mary Sue)
