It was the 90s, and I was probably out with a friend, which was a rare occasion due to my strict upbringing. I couldn’t have been older than 14 years old. I cursed, and an older white man heard me. He said to me, “you are too beautiful to let those words come out your mouth.” It still bothers me to this day. I felt like he was speaking to my soul. I believed in Proverbs 18:21. He called out my cognitive dissonance at 14, It remains the best compliment I have ever received because it was never meant to flatter me.