I love my complexion, I love my 4c kinky hair, I love my kindness, I love my resilience. I love the way I treat others, and lastly, I love myself. since I was a child I was always told you're too this you're too that "oh you're too dark", "you're getting too fat, slow down", and for the longest time growing up I believed it. I believed I wasn't the eurocentric beauty standard and I belittled myself. I talked down of myself, and because of the way, I felt I treated others poorly. I honestly do not remember when I stopped accepting other people's criticism but my life has changed a whole 360 since. I'm comfortable in my skin, and my personality will never be too big for me. my skin will never be too dark for me, my hair will never be too rough for me. the way I view and carry myself as a person, and how I treat others is the only criticism that will ever be important to me.

Talking about mental health in the black community is like talking about black cats,we just don't do it. Why? Well, I guess we don't want to relive our trauma or generational depression that we innately suppress. in a perfect world I would say just talk to your mother, father, friends "you'll feel better", but how long does that last. when I was still in intermediate school I noticed that I had a very rough time reading and understanding what I read, I would become distracted quickly and never felt comfortable in my learning spaces. But my neighborhood had an afterschool homework club that I would attend, and my performance was always much better than when I attended school. I was comfortable asking questions, raising my hand for help; and I even became a help to other children that attended the afterschool homework club. I didn't become better at reading or understanding because I got extra help I became better because there were people who looked like me helping me every step of the way. Being a minority in America putting up with mental health, schooling and everyday living activities are already hard enough. not having another person of color as teachers, counselors, or mentor to a community that is predominantly black & brown is straining to our upbringings, and that's not me saying white teachers aren't good at what they do. there is just a different understanding. the black community makes up 12% of the US population but is overrepresented in the high-risk population such as exposure to violence, incarnation, homeless, foster care, etc. because of the many negative occurrences the black community is 20% more likely to have a mental illness. so how do we continue to fight when the odds are against us? for one we need to stop calling our depression and anxiety "being tired" or "being Stressed". We need to feel comfortable talking about what is keeping us so tired and sleepy, or anxious and snappy. we need to communicate more with our family, friends, teachers, and counselors. we need to stop carrying others burdens on our shoulders, for example, a mother wanting her child to be a doctor because she couldn't become one when the child's dreams are completely different. as a community we need more social and environmental programs such as (dancing, singing, science clubs, engineering, sports, and agriculture) to help teens stay out the fast life and focus on things that will help better their future and our future generations