Forced to choose between being black or ________.

[Honeykiss1974]

This post in CC got me to thinking of this question.

Y'know, that "BGLO members only " mentality reminds me of W.E.B. DuBois:

It is a peculiar sensation, double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one’s self through the eyes of others, of measuring one’s soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness, an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled striving; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder.

That's what it's kind of like for me as a Black member of an NPC sorority around these parts, except most of the scrutiny doesn't come from NPC folk.

Do you ever feel like you have to "choose sides" or an allegiance, if you will, between being black or something else? For example, between being black or an American - being black or following Christ - being black or being a member of an NPC/IFC - etc.

I know in my own experiences, there are some people that can't understand why I choose to take up the cause of Christ as opposed to giving in for what is best for blacks (ie supporting a candidate that believes in ideas/policies that go against my convictions as a believer), so I am interesed in seeing if anyone else has/is experiencing this?