Name

Your parents decide on your name, it's on your nametag so everybody in kindergarten can ask you to play with them but you give it meaning. It's one of the most simplest things about you, yet has the most importance. I never really thought about my name, besides the fact that nobody can spell it on their first try but as I approach my senior year in high school, I realize that 20 years from now people may not know my face, but if I have done anything significant, then they will know my name and hopefully go to a school named after me, lol. All I'm saying is that when you're gone, people aren't going to make their children look like you, hopefully, but maybe they will want to name their children after you because you played a significant enough role in their life. Maybe, if you can't do it all in this lifetime, then your name will be able to.

Shades

I caught myself encouraging the division of a people, doing the exact opposite of what I feel i should be doing. Since when did the complexion of a race that brought together begin to divide and determine our success, beauty and value as people? If you're dark skinned then you are perceived to be angry, evil and toughened by the so-called hard life that comes with your color. Dark is ugly today. The same shade that once connected you to your ethnicity is now a shade that will make you an outcast of your people. However, you are expected to be more black than our light skinned counterparts. You should know how to play basketball or football and be more involved in high risk activites. Light skinned are thought to soft, smarter than our dark skinned people and more beautiful especially amongst the women. And I believe this perception comes out of the self-hate of our people. A sort of embarrassment or the idea that we can't succeed. The lighter skin means you're closer to white skinned people and thus makes you a higher person. God gave us sight so we could see the beautiful things he's laid on our world. Dark or light, I am Black and I have pride in that I have the power and mind and determination as my ancestors did who made it possible for my voice to be heard. Black or white, we are people.

Inspired by..... Wale - Shades

Different

I see different. No, I do not use glasses or do I wear contacts of an unnatural color so I can obfuscate people's perception of me. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I still see hope as a young Black man. I choose the see the future and play out the possibilities of what I still have the opportunity to do. With me, if there is something I want in the near future then I know that I have the tendency to dwell on this state of being less "gifted." I have to catch myself and act my age and realize that there is a journey to my goal and my journey has these stops or mini-goals that I must enjoy. It's like where you are on a road trip from the west coast to the east. There are a lot of miles and hours that must be conquered in order to get to your destination. And you aren't happy that it's over. You are more juiced at the beginning than at the end. You never hear anyone say, "Shame that it has to begin." There are going to be hardships and if I am to dwell on these hardships and the current state of unachievement, then I'll lose my hope. Today I saw a man stand in his front yard and just enjoy his pampered lawn. His lawn isn't going to put his children through college or get him his promotion but it was just a small moment to be enjoyed. Small victories are what wins the war.