I heard a speech today from John Boyega that resonated with me at my core. He said every black person can remember the 1st time someone else pointed out that they were black before they were human.

I can't even remember the 1st time someone pointed out that I was black. But I can tell you the 10th or the 20th or the 76th time. I can tell you every time I felt uncomfortable where I was or who I was with because I was black. I can tell you about the speeches my mother gave me reminding me that my life would never be as easy as my friends' lives because of the color of my skin. I can tell you about the pain in her eyes as she had to explain to me that because of the way I looked that I would be targeted, alienated and mistreated and that I had to be my best at all times not never give them an opportunity to tear me down. I can list the rules and regulations I was reminded to follow as a person of color to ensure that I never give off the appearance of being a threat. I can tell you about the times I was too young to understand what their words meant but I was old enough to understand that when they said them my mom's face changed and her mood soured. I can tell you the times somebody that was twice my age belittled me and disrespected me after looking at me.

I can't tell you the 1st time I realized the injustice was real but I can tell you the pain of turning on the news and hearing that an innocent life was extinguished because the looked like the problem. I can tell the real tears that have rolled down my face because I couldn't grasp the concept that I wasn't being treated the same as everyone else and there is nothing I could say or do to change that fact. I can tell you about the time I was 12 and I turned the TV on to hear the a man about to get married was shot 50 times because he looked like he could be the suspect. Or that children were locked in a cage because they were born in a different part of the world. I can tell you that no matter what you look like or where you're from injustice is injustice

I can't tell you the 1st time I was told I was too white to be so black but I can tell you the blank look on my face every time I was told I don't act or talk like I'm black because what does a color talk or act like? I can tell you the fear instilled in me at a young age to understand that most of the time someone would look at me that their first thought would be deciding whether to be afraid or not. I can tell you about the times I stared at myself in the mirror and wished I could change everything about the way I look just to feel like I could blend in with my peers and feel accepted. I can tell you about the daily jokes and jeers because I was darker than most. I can the feeling of not knowing where to belong and who to be because I was reminded I was different then my all white classrooms. I can tell you the look of disappointment on a parent's face when they realize that their son or daughter is hanging out with or dating someone that looks like me

I can't tell you the 1st time I was accused of something I didn't do because of the color of my skin but tell you the pain I felt every time I realized I was in a specific situation because of my race. I can tell you stories of the times I've been called racial slurs by complete strangers for being who I am. The white hot flash of shock that runs through your body as someone calls you a name without any prior provocation. One day I hope I can tell you the final memory I have of being reminded I was black before I was human.

But you know what I can also tell you?

I can tell you the joy of seeing the whole world stand united and fight for justice and equality

I can tell you how important it is to be told that you matter in a world you were raised in that showed you the opposite

I can tell you the times that I looked around at a group of friends and felt accepted and at peace

I can tell you about the friends who've stood besides and and spoke up for me in times I was too silent to defend myself

I can tell you about the long endless nights laughing till the sun comes up with people from all different backgrounds and walks of life

I can tell you about the random encounters with another human being that shared nothing in common with me but still left me full of love and happiness

I can tell you what it's like to feel joined with someone's soul and realizing that we're all human and that's the most important thing

I can tell you the times a group of strangers came together because of a common desire for companionship and bliss

I can tell you about the times I've watched someone in need be aided by a complete stranger just because they needed help

I can tell you that I've seen peace and humanity and love up close and that its real

I can tell you that I believe one day in a world where we make sure no one has to feel the heartbreak of feeling alienated and alone because they are different

I can tell you I fullheartedly believe in a word where Justice for all means Justice for all

I hope one day we live in a world where parents don't have to tell their children to be their best because they're different. Let's tell our children to be their best and to not be afraid to be different. Let's tell our children stories of how we changed the world that we knew so they can have the world they know. Let's make sure we tell the generations to come a different story than the one we've been told.