Roxane Gay's book "Bad Feminist: Essays" discusses the complexities of black identity within societal expectations. She highlights the pressure on black individuals to conform to a specific cultural ideal, which often leads to scrutiny and judgment when one deviates from it. This constant questioning of their authenticity creates a challenging environment, where individuals may feel they must navigate a narrow path to be accepted.

Gay reveals that there exists an unspoken set of rules dictating how black people should present themselves, think, and behave, which can shift over time. The expectation is to embody blackness in a way that is palatable to the dominant culture, not overly embracing any extremes like being too "ratchet" or "bougie." This dynamic fosters a complex relationship with identity, as individuals try to balance personal expression with societal acceptance.