Many people fall head first into scenarios that require sacrifice, bravery, and service such as Albert Dono Ware. But I will have to say I am not cut from that breed. I have always been a passionate child concerned about equality and colonialism. But I was frail, so much so I earned the nickname twig. People said that they could snap me in half. Being a petite black girl, growing up, made me want to play small. When I moved from my all black neighborhood to one where I was one of a few blacks in town—a city in Texas. I quickly realized from my peers that I was worse than small but insignificant. My boldness to speak against bigotry subsided as I wanted to survive a day without being outcasted and called a n*gger. Growing up in Texas left a whole inside of me. This loss of identity was replaced with insecurity and doubt. Where ever I went I was the “Other”. My opinion was not respected, I was to take racist and mysoginistic comments with a smile, and be docile to my white peers. Additionally teachers never did anything about racism. In fact a student in my sociology class commented on how black people are fundamentally different than white people because their skulls were different, making them inferior to whites. The teacher sat at his desk and only listened. After the student finished his outburst the teacher continued on typing on his computer. Only one person spoke up. She was a black girl who was my senior in school. She proudly told him that he was wrong and ignorant while I remained silent and watched. 5 plus years later reflecting on these experiences leaves me saddened by that girl who was silenced. No one believed in my potential so I didn’t either. Leading me aimless looking for purpose and confidence. During my Fall 2024 semester I was enrolled in an American government class. It was like any other semester as I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do in school. My Professor for that class was Merry Mayer. She believed in her students and was passionate about politics. She always sent her students internships, scholarships, and academic programs to explore. She gave good critiques and was always fascinated by what her students had to say, especially me. She recommended that I take her Diplomacy Lab, a research course for honor students the next semester. I enrolled and my perspective on what I was able to accomplish shifted. I came up with an idea to host a digital exhibit for our research. She liked the idea and made me the leader of the project. My group project was the most ambitious one of the semester according to her. She continued giving me opportunities for me to grow academically for which helped me flourish into a confident, knowledgeable, and out-spoken individual. I was so scared in the past to get involved with social movements such as Black Lives Matter, march against the genicide of Palestinians, etc. I thought my voice was only one and that it wouldn’t make a difference. I was envious of the other young people who took the chance to insight change. But I realized through my academic growth that their voices is but one as well. They banded with like minded people to fight for a cause. Adding another voice and joining them in the fight for liberation against tyranny and bigotry will add fuel to the fire. Making the movement a little bigger. Maybe I could be like them. Inviting others to join the historic fight for justice as well. By helping inspire others to use their voices and educate themselves about social issues as the people in the past had influenced me to use my voice. I believe the people are stronger together and the people can insight change in their neighborhoods. They don’t need to wait for the government, who had historically hindered them, to lend a helping hand. Since realizing this I have been passionate about reaching out to my community members. For example, in the summer of 2025 I hosted a fair housing course at my local library to teach others about their housing rights and defend themselves against housing discrimination. I was terrified to host this course as I thought no one would care to come to my workshop or what I had to say. I put out flyers and invited others to my class. Surprisingly the little event room was packed and listeners said they learned something new. I will be hosting another fair housing workshop this spring. I had evolved so much since starting my studies at the city community college because others took the chance on me. Now I want to take that chance that others gave me and lead a helping hand to remind others that they have a chance too. A chance to break free from societal expectations and even the expectations of people around them to insight change.