I have my mother’s smile and you can spot my father’s eyes plastered on me from a mile away. There is no doubt in connecting my physical features to that of my parents. On another level, far different from genetic code, they are my main influences in hardwiring me to become who I am today. My father has taught me ingenuity. Daily, I witness the outside environment making his life harder, however his naturally brilliant pose allows him to maneuver out of any situation. My mother’s undeniable love of life is seen through her constant grin and unmistakable laugh. She has ingrained in me that each day can be conquered with a laughing workout. Also, if anything gets hard; smile to let everyone around know you are strong. Besides my father’s craftiness
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When an adult first uttered those words to me in 1st grade, it gave me the inclination that I was steering off the path; a lone wolf that will not survive if I drift too far away from the pack. To prevent any more deviation, I began to talk less and draw less attention to myself. Another time, a fellow classmate repeated the same phrase at 6th grade orientation. During this time, I was becoming more sensitive to the stereotypes associated with my skin. No more than a year later, I heard it again but this time at a family reunion. It shocked me. Coming to terms with internalized racism at 13 was hard to grip. The idea that the hate of one group is so inherent, so natural in society that it can subconsciously prevail in the group that is being discriminated against was and still is hard to understand. At thirteen, I was also taught the importance of self-love. Especially when few are willing to go past the stereotype and understand the person, I knew it was past-time to love myself for me.
These situations are distinct accounts in my life that replicate the overarching theme that society is built on power hierarchies that classify people based on ethnicity, gender, and social class. However, those that set up and maintain this social ranking did not account that I have my mother’s smile and my father’s eyes. They did not plan that love will one day meet innovation and form a woman who is destroying any
When an adult first uttered those words to me in 1st grade, it gave me the inclination that I was steering off the path; a lone wolf that will not survive if I drift too far away from the pack. To prevent any more deviation, I began to talk less and draw less attention to myself. Another time, a fellow classmate repeated the same phrase at 6th grade orientation. During this time, I was becoming more sensitive to the stereotypes associated with my skin. No more than a year later, I heard it again but this time at a family reunion. It shocked me. Coming to terms with internalized racism at 13 was hard to grip. The idea that the hate of one group is so inherent, so natural in society that it can subconsciously prevail in the group that is being discriminated against was and still is hard to understand. At thirteen, I was also taught the importance of self-love. Especially when few are willing to go past the stereotype and understand the person, I knew it was past-time to love myself for me.
These situations are distinct accounts in my life that replicate the overarching theme that society is built on power hierarchies that classify people based on ethnicity, gender, and social class. However, those that set up and maintain this social ranking did not account that I have my mother’s smile and my father’s eyes. They did not plan that love will one day meet innovation and form a woman who is destroying any