As a black author, an African American writer, it feels at times that we are locked in these cages where freedom is just a made up word. The assumption is "oh you're black so you must write Urban Fiction... well I don't read Urban Fiction" or "oh you're a black indie author so your work must be filled with errors because the last indie book I read 5 years ago was". And that's just what I get from black readers. The lack of support is tremendous. I've actually heard black readers say "we need to support black authors because they get overlooked to much" but then in the next breath they say they don't read self-published books. Which is a oxymoron because most indie authors are black. But we have to keep grinding until Morrison, McMillan and Mosley aren't the only black writers black people know. I say black people because when you're black getting your own to support you is a difficult task. Now granted, for ME, support among my people has been pretty good but it's the little things that causes stress. The only author who has ever offered to show my work to her agent and publisher has been white. The only booktuber to post a video about my book has been white. This isn't just me crying but damn it is an eye opening thing. But as black authors black people think we shouldn't care if they overlook us, ignore us or hate on us when we ask for an opportunity. Then when we succeed without their support they are equally mad when our target focus isn't exclusively about them anymore. My word of advice to both readers and writers. Do you. But when you are sitting around wondering why there isn't a lot of books by black authors for you to read... remind yourself on how difficult it was for someone to get you to read black. Remember you can free us by reading us. Not some of us but all of us. Reading black authors shouldn't be just a trend for black readers.