June 29, 2000, is the day I came into the world. Being born into this era has its ups and downs, but I go back on all the freedom and artifacts, my ancestors had to sacrifice in order to live past 20. Sometimes, I cannot process the fact that my people, had to really listen and obey another human being. People honestly did not like African Americans, because of our skin, our voice, our smile, everything.

Do you know how long it took America to let a whole race be free? 246 years is how long it took America to let humans be able to have freedom of speech, work where ever they pleased. It took this long to let a race feel wanted and needed, in a world they were born in.

I never realized how strong of a activate I was until I got into middle school. I could not wait until February came around, to see what the school was going to do. Unfortunately, little was done. In high school, some people felt okay with saying racial slurs. I was not use to that, so I spoke up and tried to get adults involved. Little was done, with that also.

Enough was enough. I did not care if people did not like my voice being heard. Something had to be done. I stood up for myself and other black kids. I was known as rude and mean, but I will never let disrespect slide. Especially for my ancestors.

I, Makala Ellington, am a beautiful, brown skin, intelligent, young lady, who is very proud to be black! Thanks to my wonderful and powerful ancestors that I am allowed to voice my opinion, attend school anywhere, go out to eat without being told to use the back door, become friends with whoever, use the same bathroom and water fountain, live in the same neighborhood and so much more!!

Thank you for letting your future generation not be forced to do something because of the color of their skin; because of you all, we do not have to live in slave quarters, collect cotton, sleep with a man on a drop of a dime. You have paved the way for so many black children.

I am honoring people like Dred Scott, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm x, James Weldon Johnson, Hattie McDaniel, Rosa Parks, the Relf Sisters, Sojourner Truth, York, Satchel Paige, Angela Davis for standing up for what needed to be right in the world. I am celebrating them and more because they deserved for their voices to be heard again for years to come and for children to have knowledge on their black ancestors.

I graduated high school, got employed, have all types of friends, and will be achieving my goals in the fall, because of my beautiful ancestors. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you.