Hey, I get from the article that you are looking to broaden the perspective of others as well as your own. I appreciate that. Having said that, using the black emojis as an "experiment" really gives you the option to be black at some times, and to take it off at others.

I hate to reiterate the point, but that's digital blackface. Real Black people don't have the privilege of invoking our melanin only when it's convenient or provocative.

I think, from my reading of your article, that your heart is in the right place, and that it is not your intent to offend anyone. If my interpretation is correct, I hope that you'll take the feedback from the responses here as an opportunity to grow.

I think that from your conclusion, you're seeing a victory in that your friends aren't talking about you using Black emoticons, but I'd question whether this is a good thing, or if the whole concept of improved self-awareness was simply swept under the rug.

Keep writing and keep learning.