In today's society, there is more self-expression than there ever was before. Although, there are still moments of discrimination and there are many that continue to fear oppression today. I was ten when my family and I visited Colombia during FARC, not understanding what was going on. I was thirteen when I first witness discrimination. I was at the DMV with my mom to get my state license. Before I got called up, in front of me I was watching a DMV employee harassing a Hispanic man, calling him racial slurs and making racist comments. Though her job was to help him, she was making him feel worthless. Moments later, the man left distraught and it was my turn. I'm Latina, too, however, my skin was light enough to pass as white. As soon as it was my turn, the DMV employee changed her attitude and personality immediately, as if she wasn't rude or racist moments before. I was fifteen when I started learning and understanding the cruelty of the real world. Understanding how people are killed and discriminated against due to the color of their skin, gender, race, and more. Understanding that many don't receive the justice they deserve because the justice system is so corrupt. Minorities still fighting for equality. Women fighting for their rights. Or people are driven to suicide due to financial burden or the difficulty of living as well as the lack of acknowledgment of mental health. I was eighteen when I read the news of the government attacking the LGBTQ+ community, the death of George Floyd from police brutality, the overturn of Roe vs Wade, and the attack on birth control rights. I was eighteen when I ended up in the ER due to an ovarian cyst burst but being told that it was just a bad menstrual cycle. I was eighteen of being afraid of being turned away from receiving the medical treatment I need. I was eighteen of being afraid of being discriminated against due to being a woman complaining too much, or for being Hispanic, or of my sexuality. I was nineteen when I learned that healthcare will practice discrimination against their patients. Patients are turned away due to not being able to afford healthcare or not receiving the right medication or treatment due to the color of their skin, gender, or race. I was nineteen when I had enough. I realized the importance of activism, having a community, and having those that support and care about the people around them. My dream is to become a nurse. I strive for a bachelor's degree in Nursing. I want to go into oncology pediatrics, labor and delivery, clinical nurse, or traveling nurse. I want to be a nurse that travels the world to help those who need it most. Help those who can't receive the proper healthcare or afford it. Help those that have been turned away. I want to be a nurse that cares for people no matter their race, gender, religion, etc. I want to be a nurse that people can trust and know that I'll be fighting for them, too. This is my story. Thank you, Daniela Valderrama