Yesterday, I went to the Ames' Farmers' Market with a couple of friends. The booths there were full of diversity - you had flower stalls, Taco trucks, beauty booths, Indian food, lemonade stands, and music artists. I really enjoyed myself! Here are some snapshots that I captured while there. All were taken with my Canon EOS Rebel T5.

I have a question for you all. It's pertaining to a recent experience that I have had (although I have technically been dealing with it for a long time already). The more times I have to deal with the ignorance that I am going to mention in this piece, the more I get bothered and upset. Everyone who really knows me understands how passionate I am about social and racial issues. So for me to have been dealing with this racial and offensive issue for so long, it is odd that it's taken me so long to write about it. But that's what I'm doing now. Share your experiences or thoughts in the comments below! I'd love to connect and discuss with you all.

Before we continue with the bulk of this post, let's define race: race is a social construct that was created by society to create a hierarchy. 

What makes someone a race? Specifically, what makes someone black?

I ask this question because I, apparently, am not black enough. Ever since middle school, I have been called an Oreo, which is a derogatory term used to single out black people for not behaving like a stereotypical black person, or for not liking traditional "black"  things. Now, what are qualities that can get you classified as an Oreo, you ask? Oh - it can be little things, such as listening to Country music, speaking proper English, and dressing "like a white person." Nothing major; it's the simple things in life that can suddenly make you lose your identity.
So, referencing those aforementioned examples, what do you think? Does the way you speak make you black, white, Asian, Pacific Islander, or Native American? Is the music you listen to the actual identifier? Or what about the clothes you wear or how you wear those clothes? Or, just maybe, it's determined by who you date? Or possibly your friend group - whether it's diverse or not?
It's important for me to know because, honestly, I am exhausted of being told that I am the "whitest black person" that someone has ever met.  Or that I am not "really" black? Or that I'm just not black enough. I cannot even count on two hands how many times those statements have been made to or about me. And to this day, I still do not know what to say back because material things do not identify you. Material things do not make you who you are. Who I am is a black woman in America that would really appreciate it if people would keep their ignorant remarks to themselves. No one will get a rise out of me when they say that I do not act black or that I simply have the wrong skin tone. I will not stop being who I am and enjoying what I do and what I like because someone else wants me to fit into the stereotypical black person identity. 

I identify as black. I love being black. I have always been black. I will forever be black. 

I am not upset and bothered because being called white hurts my feelings. It doesn't. There is nothing wrong with being white. But what does bother and upset me is that white it is not a part of my identity. What bothers and upsets me is being told that I am not enough of a certain way to claim my identity. I've been raised to love myself and who I am. It's been a long road (and I'm only 18) to self-love, but I am finally here and constantly working on myself. Identity is huge to me! My race is one demographic that I use to identify myself. So, for those who think that it's okay to call someone an Oreo or tell them that they do not fit in or that they are not "enough" to claim their identity or that they're not "really" who they identify, it's not okay. It's hurtful. It's upsetting. It's sad. 
And I recognize now that these any friends of mine will not use derogatory terms like Oreo. My friends will not try to make me question any part of my identity. What real friends do is accept one another for who they are, what they like, and other quirks and unique qualities. 
What are your thoughts? Have you ever been told that you are not enough of a certain way so you cannot possibly identify as something? 

On my photography portfolio, I introduce myself as a portrait and pet photographer by day and a wildlife and nature photographer by night. I love each photography genre individually because of the respective characteristics and opportunities brought about. Portraits: seeing a person's or family's personality shine through the camera. Pet: working with animals and letting their personality shine through. Wildlife: the spontaneity of animals in their natural habitat and the awesome feeling I get after getting some good shots. Nature: seeing the earth at its purest and simply being out in the elements make me happy. If I were to rank my preference for these genres today, I do not think that I could do it. I love each one for different reasons, and I think that getting rid of one would make me feel bad. However, I do partake in shooting one genre more than the others. I have been taking more portrait shots lately as I build my portfolio and try to create a side business while I am in university. Wildlife, nature, and pet shots come second, as a more relaxing type of photography for myself.  Below are some articles and blog posts that I have recently read pertaining to portrait photography. Give them a read!

1. How to Find Great Backgrounds for Outdoor Portraits

I prefer taking portrait pictures outside in nature or urban areas. This post by Andrew Gibson, over on Digital Photography School (one of my go-to photography blogs) shares tips on how to find the best places to snap some good portrait shots in the great outdoors. You don't always see picture-perfect spaces upon first glance; sometimes, putting on your photographer's eyes will change a space in a moment. Give this post a read and garner some inspiration!

2. 6 Ways to Take a Candid Portrait of Somebody You Know

3. 5 Tips for Taking Better Portraits in Nature

It's really funny how I tend to go MIA whenever big events occur in my life. It happened when I went to Stanford; it happened after I moved to live with my permanent family in Germany, and it happened again after I recently moved to Iowa. Big events tend to make me want to soak everything in without the pressure of having to blog. Don't get me wrong - I love blogging. Blogging is a really nice way to express myself, share my content (photography), and meet people and join/build communities. Nevertheless, I cannot apologize for going MIA. I cannot even say that I want to be remorseful because I can't. Life happens, and I am at the point in my life where I prefer to experience everything first hand versus having to relive everything through a picture or a blog post.
And while I said all of that, I want to come back to The Burns Effect. I've been thinking more and more about blogging lately, and I think that it's time for me to return to action. (Is that even a saying?? Hahah.) In addition to coming back to the blog, I will also be picking up my camera again. I haven't really taken it out on campus, although Iowa State University has one of the most beautiful campuses in the US. 
Since I have your attention, I might as well catch you up on what has been happening in my life lately. Okay...get ready for a mouthful. (Not really because I am about to break this up in bullet points, because...well...lists.)

• I have joined an infinite amount of clubs and organizations already, despite our ClubFest not having occurred yet. It was technically supposed to be today, but because of an incoming storm, it was pushed back until tomorrow. Some clubs that I have joined are National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), a photography club, DUB-H (a hip-hop dance team), Black Student Alliance (BSA), Event Management Club, the Ballroom and Swing dance team, and the book club. There are probably a lot more that I am forgetting about, but I am too lazy to track them down to figure out what the are. 
• I won't be staying in all of the aforementioned clubs! I just want to check out what each one is about and see which ones I really enjoy. I am definitely staying in the Black Student Alliance; however, because it is awesome. Even the initial meeting made me feel like that club is going to be very inclusive and fun.
• I am actually a co-founder of a soon-to-be dance team at Iowa State called C-Nettes. It is an all-girls dance/majorette team that encourages body positivity, team endurance, and sisterhood. I'll update you guys on what's happening there! (I am still deciding whether I am going to continue pursuing it because of how I am seeing it's turning out. Meh.)

• I attended the George Washington Carver retreat (for my scholarship), which was boring but helpful in meeting new people. I will be attending the Womyn of Colour retreat next weekend. It will be held in Ogden, Iowa. 

• Next Sunday, I am going to Omaha, Nebraska with some friends to visit the zoo! Apparently, the zoo is one of the best in America (top 5?). 

• I have met some really nice friends. I have no idea why I was so concerned about meeting friends, but it was not that hard. All you have to do is be yourself and be open to meeting new people. Be random. Put yourself out there. I'll write an entire post about this later.

• I toured Jack Trice Stadium the first week that I was on campus. My Destination Iowa group and I volunteered to pick up trash around the stadium, and then afterward, we were able to tour the inside (and write thank you letters to the Athletics). It was cool. I find it pretty humorous that I have tour two football stadiums already, despite the fact that I am not an avid football fan. Hah!
• My classes are going well. I pretty much enjoy them all; however, math will forever be my worst subject, but I'll get through it. (Optimism is key, no?)

I would like to note that I am writing this little (albeit long) post during an unexpected break in my schedule. Apparently, my AESHM 113E class was not scheduled for today because the other sections didn't have it on Monday, Labor Day. Soooo, some other people and I showed up in class, and we would've been oblivious for a while unless my friend came in and told us. It was really funny. That shows that we definitely need to read our syllabi more. #collegelessons 

Anyway, I said all of that to say that I doubt that I am going to have a set blogging schedule. My days are so unpredictable and my friends and I enjoy being super spontaneous. I'll post whenever I get the urge and chance to. That may be five times a week or three or maybe one or maybe one time a month. I don't know. But I just thought I'd let you guys know!

Have a good rest of the week. :)