Dating in my 40s?

I started taking dating seriously about a year ago. Ever since, I keep a dating journal of things that work, things that don't, what I will NOT fool with, what I will, new things I like, etc. I also like to jot down feedback I receive. Here's some common ones:

- Too serious
- Too political/talks about politics too much
- Can't take a joke
- High expectations
- Strict
- Spoiled
- Too Black (???)

Listen. These are my best qualities. I'm never apologizing for that. Also...I'm funny. Like genuinely funny. And I only know that because people tell me I'm funny when I'm being deadass serious.

Anyway...I've been asked by multiple people to "tone it down" and ya know....I've thought about it. I have. And I will not be doing that. I'd rather repave I-66 one pebble at a time during rush hour with only my bare hands in the August 4th sun.

My last dating journey landed me in the arms of a man who taught me so much about my personal politics and how closely to my heart I hold them.

• He said gay people in this country are more valued than Black men based on his personal experience. That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard and we will not be discussing it.

• He said I'm "intellectually arrogant" and refuse to "show empathy" for people with any opposing views. Take this insecure shit somewhere else.

• Feminism was invented by white women to divide Black homes. For the 10,000,000th time - that is literally not true and need y'all to stop toting around that weird ass lie.

• Everything can't be about politics. Yes it can, and it is. I've said before, give me something you think isn’t political and I'll show you where it is.

I don’t know, maybe I just need my intellectual peer? No that’s not it. Because a lot of people are wild smart and still have shitty ass beliefs. Either way, I’d rather be alone.