Anyway, say what you want about the systems and industry behind her brand, the best pop music comes from Britney Spears. The dance moves. The sex appeal. And yes, I’ll still credit her for her beauty because I’m not a hater. I’ll be honest about my observations, but I will never be too woke to admit that I love Britney Spears.

Growing up as a Black second gen Canadian, the only example I had of Black people who weren’t recent immigrants were Black Americans. So there I sat with two different ways to be Black. I could participate in the “Black Culture” (a.k.a. the portrayal of African American identity) that I saw on TV, the hallmarks of which were AAVE, hip hop, hilarity, and tragedy. Or I could be an immigrant. I tried to be both, and it didn’t work, because I wasn’t either.