Wicked blurs the lines between fiction and reality so well that many individuals, including myself, can deeply relate to the characters and their stories. Growing up in a low-income household with 7+ individuals living in the home, brought its challenges. But, nothing became more challenging than when I was faced with the judgment, criticism, racism, and debilitating scrutiny brought forth by an unjust world. I am like Elphaba, I see my story within her. She is misunderstood and lives in a world that strives to demean her and break her down. This world that she lives in makes her out to be the villain, from birth, for simply existing, being gifted, and being a different color than the majority of those around her. Similarly, I grew up and experienced life in 10+ schools, and 6+ states. With each move, I often found myself to be one of the four, or less, black individuals in an entire school. At just 8 years old, I remember my first day in science class as a new student. As an icebreaker, I shared I had 4 brothers. The teacher responded, “Wow, that’s a lot of baby daddies.” I was 8 years old, I didn’t know what that meant. But, the entire class laughed. That wasn’t the start or the end. When I was 9 years old, I moved to a new school. I was the only black girl in all of my classes. My so-called new friends had been passing notes to each other, and eager to know what they were talking about, I asked if I could read them. Guess who was caught with the notes in their hand, and then subjected to a referral and almost suspension from the school… me. While my friends who were white and wrote these notes sat and watched me get in trouble. They continued on throughout the school year without any repercussions. The teacher told them to avoid me because “I am bad news.” At 9 years old, it felt like the entire world was against me and I could never understand why. Just as Elphaba, what did I do? I didn’t ask to be here. Or born with this skin color that is subjected to scrutiny, assumptions, misjudgments, and categorizations. Why me? Why does the color of my skin make people hate me for simply existing? It took me a very long time to be confident in approaching other kids my age out of fear of rejection due to my past experiences. Until one day, a Glinda came into my life. She saw me when no one else did. She looked out for me, mentored me, and nurtured some life back into a soul and body that felt so disconnected. Though we were different colors and came from entirely different backgrounds, it didn't matter. Because we understood each other, even when no one else did. My Glinda. My best friend. It took until the end of my high school years for me to learn to love myself and find beauty in my existence, the color of my skin, and the gifts that I bring to this world. Furthermore to embrace my distinction in a room filled with people who don't look like me. To embrace myself and others as we are, in spite of our differences.

My life has been a journey. From living in a motel every other week, to using a gifted Dora the Explorer projector as a source of light throughout my house, in my 19 years of life, I have experienced instances that some will never go through for a day in their lifetime. Through every struggle and adversity came lessons learned and opportunities to grow, and for that, I am grateful, as all that I have been taught has formed me into the individual I am today. Looking back at the times that my family house hopped from one to another, I remember optimistically thinking those moments to be a mini-vacation or a field trip. I never questioned or wondered why. I began to compare myself to others financially well off, belittle myself, and every aspiration I had hoped for in life. Often questioning if I would ever amount to anything surpass what was deemed as average. Oftentimes while living in a materialistic and social media-driven world, individuals get easily defeated when thinking of what is not present. In return, recognition of the simple beauties that lie in front tend to be forgotten and disregarded. This is an internal war I have faced and overcome. For me, the simple gifts in life have constructed the foundation of my character: compassion, optimism, and appreciation. Amidst the prolonging of a struggling journey came complete alterations in the way that I view the world and individuals that I encounter on an everyday basis. I have gained a strong sense of instinct in observation and appreciation for every walk of life, including my own. I embrace my background as a good for all positive that has resulted while using my strength as an inspiration for others, and a pivotal drive to succeed.