Reflection

By: Mia Ray, 6th Grade
​
To whom this may concern,
 
For a while now, I’ve constantly been misunderstood. People have assumed things about me and as a result wouldn’t allow me to do certain things.

Back in elementary, a kid told me that I can’t connect to Black rights because I’m not Black and instead I’m Latina. That deeply hurt me and I just shut down.

Two seconds later I actually powered on. I decided I should stand up for myself, saying “I’m not just latina! I am a mix of West Indian and I’m also Black. I’m not just what you assume me to be. I have a large background and you should understand that.” That was a time I felt really confident and I’m proud of myself for that.

Recently, I was just walking and I mentioned my background to those I called my friends. One called out, “How are you Hispanic but you can’t speak Spanish?”