@alokvmenon even answered my question about gatekeeping:
"You can't wait for anyone else to confer you your freedom. The most powerful thing you can do as an artist of color is believe in yourself. Lack of representation is an opportunity for creativity."
I really ate a quesadilla in parts - uncooked tortilla and cheese
*My roommate was using the kitchen, and I got too hungry to wait to make my quesadilla