I lived in China from 2018–2020, and last month I returned for the first time in years for a 10-day trip. One thing that immediately came back? The staring, the photos, and the curiosity that often comes with being Black in spaces where people may not see Black people often. Over the years, I’ve learned how to separate curiosity from disrespect while also understanding that both can exist at the same time (and also understanding that MOST times people don’t realize they’re being disrespectful or invasive). Yes, many people were genuinely curious. Yes, some had likely never interacted with a Black person before. But that still didn’t mean I had to allow people to touch my hair, invade my space, or make me uncomfortable just to avoid seeming “rude.” One of the biggest lessons I learned abroad is that you can be culturally aware, respectful, and kind while still having boundaries. You are allowed to say: “Please don’t touch me.” “I don’t want to take a picture.” “I’m not comfortable w...