Respectability doesn’t prevent racism.
My father was arrested while wearing a suit. 
A black man was killed by police while holding a cell phone. Another, a metal pipe. Don’t say “He wouldn’t have been shot if he was wearing this” or “He should have spoken to the officer more respectfully.” These are lives. Human beings. Do #BlackLivesMatter? Racism says “No.”
I encourage being respectful. And operating on what my father called “the high plane of dignity and discipline.” But the notion that I have to be what white supremacy deems “respectable” or I can’t be treated fairly and justly or even live? That’s evil, perverse thinking.
Also, please know, me being RESPECTFUL is about my standard for engaging others. RESPECTABILITY is about me having to meet someone else’s standards in order for them to respect me. And Blackness will never meet White Supremacy’s standards for being respected.
