Never let anyone discourage you just because you stand out from group. All my life, I have been the elephant in the room just because I am different. But that had never stopped me. I have always just done what I wanted and outperformed those that discredited me. No matter what anyone tells you, always look up.

Growing up, I was the different kid. This is because I am an African American male that had grown up in a predominantly white location. Without having the slightest clue about the type of person I am, who I truly am and not not at all about my background, I was always a step behind from everyone else. I would always be judged about my abilities and skills I am capable of just because I am a black kid in a white area. And because of this, I just outperformed my expectations.

In sports, all I ever heard was racial stereotypes I was supposed to live up to.

“You’re black so you must be really fast.”

“You’re black so you must be able to jump really high.”

“You’re black so you must be able to do this.”

“You’re black so you must be able to do that.”

I am as athletic as I am because of my family genetics, not because of my race or skin tone. Even if genetics were not part of the equation, hard work and practice goes into my athleticism. All my life I have been expected to perform certain tasks, but also not given certain tasks, just because of my race. All honesty, I believe anyone and everyone that is viewed and judged due to their race and skin tone, do not let it get to you. Shut the world up by just doing you.

If you have a different idea from everyone else, express it. If you feel a different way than everyone else, show it. If you want to do things differently from everyone else, do it. Never let society be your guide if you do not follow it. It will only kill the person you are destined to be. It will kill the creativity of life. If we do not have different people within our society, creativity and life as we know it will blend into this job that we will do all our lives, but for what cause?

This is why if anyone tells you something that you do not agree with or like, ignore them and do you. Be Different.