DSST: College View Speaks! Vol. 3 by Cafe Cultura

DSST: College View Speaks! Vol. 3 Cafe Cultura Community Speaks Project #31 Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

DSST: College View Speaks! Vol. 3 Copyright ÂŠ 2016 by Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the author.

To the powerful and â&#x20AC;&#x153;wokeâ&#x20AC;? students in our Spoken Word class: Dream it, believe it, achieve it. Use your thoughts, words, and actions to create a better world. #CafeCultura #XpressYourself #TellingOurStories

Acknowledgments Thank you DSST College View High School staff for a 3rd opportunity to work with your amazing 9th graders. Special shout out to the students in our class for pushing yourselves to become powerful. Remember: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is our responsibility and choice to express ourselves and lift our voice, together building unity, leaders in our community. This is how we tell our stooorrrryyyy!â&#x20AC;?

Foreword Café Cultura has been blessed to partner with DSST College View High School in teaching a Spoken Word elective for the 20152016 school year. Using our “Telling Our Stories” curriculum for a 3rd Trimester, we witnessed incredible growth in creativity and confidence among student participants. The spoken word poems they wrote, as presented in this book, speak both to their potential and sense of perseverance. We look forward to staying connected, as they develop into the leaders we need. Enjoy and share their words! For those who do not know about our organization: Café Cultura is an award-winning arts, culture, and youth development organization in Denver that promotes unity and healing among Indigenous peoples through creative expression while empowering youth to find their voice, reclaim oral and written traditions, and become leaders in their communities. Café Cultura has been providing positive, creative, and engaging community spaces for the Denver metropolitan area for more than ten years. After the passing of respected elder and veteran poet Abelardo “Lalo” Delgado, we accepted responsibility to continue using our oral and written traditions to provide opportunities for creative expression often not offered in schools or in the larger community. Café Cultura also drew inspiration from the movement connecting Indigenous people from throughout the Americas. We use creative expression to unify people representing southern Indigenous nations, known by terms such as “Chicana/o” and “Latina/o,” with those Natives of northern nations, referred to as “American Indian” or “Native American.” Café Cultura hosts one of the best open mic venues in the Denver metropolitan area, and the only space focused on family and youth. We also conduct highly engaging and culturally relevant

spoken word/poetry workshops for underserved youth throughout Colorado. CafĂŠ Cultura partners with select organizations and schools to facilitate an intensive workshop series, publish youth poetry, and organize participant showcases. In an effort to develop young leaders within our community, we also coordinate a youth leadership program for Indigenous youth. If you or your organization is interested in collaborating, feel free to contact us. For more information about our open mic events, workshops, youth leadership program, and other programs: info@cafecultura.org 720-394-6589 www.cafecultura.org

Table of Contents The Story on Paper by Emilly ..............................................................1 Me by Celeste ..........................................................................................3 Discrimination is the New Drug by Jairo ...........................................5 World = People by Fabiola...................................................................6 Family by Quiana ...................................................................................7 Opinions by Davit..................................................................................8 Pretty Hurts by Miranda........................................................................9 Overcomer by Ulises .......................................................................... 10 Where I See Myself by Carlos ........................................................... 11 The Real Me by Marilyn ..................................................................... 12 Dear "Father" by Maria ...................................................................... 13 Laugh or Cry by Daisy........................................................................ 14 Dear Me by Emilly .............................................................................. 15 Imagine by Celeste .............................................................................. 17 My Life by Jairo ................................................................................... 19 Beautiful Struggles by Fabiola ........................................................... 20 Family by Quiana ................................................................................ 21 Musicians by Davit .............................................................................. 22 Those Moments by Miranda ............................................................. 24 Success of a Swish by Ulises .............................................................. 25 The Elotero by Carlos ........................................................................ 26 Problems in America by Marilyn ...................................................... 27 The Not So Perfect Life by Maria and Miranda ............................. 29

The Coma by Emilly ........................................................................... 31 Struggle to the Top by Celeste........................................................... 32 Lucha by Jairo ...................................................................................... 34 One Day by Fabiola ............................................................................ 35 Perfect Chaos by Quiana .................................................................... 37 Insanity by Davit.................................................................................. 38 Challenges by Marilyn ......................................................................... 39

The Story on Paper by Emilly The paper started out clean, innocent, pure, happy. We all came together to fill it with a beautiful story. We filled it with traditions, culture, and positivity. But there will always be those who believe that they are meant to ruin those stories. They spend hours, days, months, filling that paper with hate. By the time everyone else works to erase the hate, it is too late. The paper will never go back to its original, pure, innocent form. It will always have that blotch to remind it of the suffering in the story. But that does not have to be the end. There are always other options: turn the paper over and new story begins. Now, we know how to stop anybody who tries to ruin it. We begin the story just like the old one

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with traditions, culture, and positivity. We continue the story until the end, happy with the result at last.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Me by Celeste I come from the chicken tacos my grandma used to make. I am the taco she makes with a hard shell. Hard on the outside, but once you bite, happiness and comfort explodes in your mouth, bringing everyone together as one. I am the bracelet she gave me, reminding me of countless things: a bird to say, “Do not forget that you have wings to fly.” a fairy to whisper in my ear, “not everything is what it seems”; a ladybug that takes me back to the carefree and happy times of my childhood; vines wrap around telling me to accept what comes my way because that is what the earth has done for us. I am my mother who has held my hand through life for as long as I can remember, teaching me and showing me the ropes of life. She reminds me to smile, even through the hard times and to have hope in my heart because there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. She shows me how to keep my hand out

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on my journey through life just in case anyone needs to reach out and grab it. She has shown me a place of unity and I have made it my own. I am the community of contentment and joy, eliminating pain and ridding stress. I am the community of peace and comfort. This is the place I call home, walking into the community, my community, and suddenly becoming one. I am unity. I am happiness. I am comfort. I am your heart.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Discrimination is the New Drug by Jairo Stop the racism and the mindless narcissism. Racism is like the saying â&#x20AC;&#x153;mal hierba nunca muere.â&#x20AC;? People are so influenced by it, that it seems like a drug. There are always new brands and providers. Once you get a taste of it, you need more every day. You become lonelier and darkness eats you. To get a taste of the drug, you become a different person. The more you take, the more grumpy you get. You have to go to dealer events to get new brands to replenish the emptiness in your heart, which people you mistreated left in you. Stand up for what is right. Join people of other nationalities and replenish that emptiness with love. Be the change for the better of the world.

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World = People by Fabiola I live in a world where the only thing coming out a teenage boy’s mouth is excuses; where respect is earned by those who win a fight; where exposing a girl somehow makes you a “man”; where my generation of females cannot open up because there is always a running mouth; where a real smile is just a myth. My eyes do not see the same colors, nor the same personalities like I did at age 5. It is just a world where people think you can go to heaven just with a simple like; where a promise is just a random word; where the empty mind carries a loud mouth. When people have a taste of real love, they take it for granted. Instead, let us be a world that supports each other, a world where respect is earned by your manners, a world where boys listen to their mommas, just a world where we can all unite as one family.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Family by Quiana I am the positivity I hope to see in others. I look in the mirror and see someone who has to be successful for me and my family. If I could change one thing, it would be the way my family sees the world. There is hope that I can do better in life I am the future. As I move on with my life and grow older, my motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s childhood house will always hold memories for my family. That house in the middle of the desert will always be there for me if I ever need to go back in time. As I move on with my life, I will always have a hard working mother. She will always be there for me even when I do not need her. She is the reason why I work hard everyday to have a better future. When I need a break from everything, I will always have books to turn to because life will sometimes be unbearable. So, I flip the pages at my own pace, as I do in reality, reading and writing my life journey.

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Opinions by Davit I look down on people for their looks, for their style, for their laugh, for their smile, their opinions, their thoughts their religions, their gods Every time I think, do they do the same? Do they also play this personality game? People who they do not even know, do they also judge them so? “His hair looks stupid.” “Her clothes are ugly, along with her face.” What kind of mind space do you have to get into to think like this? Well, I will tell you, a horrific one with horrible thoughts. The breaking point is where you judge their gods, yet the whole world nods. The world is turned into a table from Ikea, breaking after just putting down one idea. One original thought gets the whole world caught up in a knot, one you cannot untie. It makes you frustrated, a frustration that cannot be satiated

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

because in our culture, the best ideas are underrated. They are underappreciated to the point of being forgotten and judged because the world cannot bother to budge and turn something good into what is popular. In order for people with original thoughts to not be looked down on, it starts with me and you.

Pretty Hurts by Miranda Every time I look in a mirror, I see different person. I wake up every day and think about how every girl has beauty. They do not wear make up for no reason. They have reasons. Most of it is because they are insecure about themselves. But I am reminded that every girl has beauty.

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Overcomer by Ulises I am the sun that wakes you up and boils you eggs. I come from the place that reunites family again. I look in the mirror and see a better tomorrow. In my dreams, I imagine myself leading our community to accept each other the way we are. You might think of me as a speck of dust but I will succeed and overpower doubts. If I fall, my people will catch me. I will never forget the cacti outside the endless plains of dirt. This is the place where my family migrated from, Mexico, to give me the freedom I have today. I am the sun that sets down on the horizon and gives you unforgettable memories.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Where I See Myself by Carlos Through my eyes, I see myself at my best. I see the crowd. I hear them cheer and roar out loud. I see people sit down or stand up to get food or drinks. I listen to the voices around me, the music, my friends encouraging me to play and do my best. I see myself playing basketball, being with the San Antonio Spurs. I see myself achieving my goals and not regretting anything. All I want to do is succeed and nothing else.

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The Real Me by Marilyn I am the Palauan girl who no one ever talks about, someone that is a blur in everyone's eyes. But I am here to make myself clear, make myself known. I am a girl, not just ordinary. I am a Palauan girl from a long line of creative people. I am come from a beautiful place where the waters are crystal blue, not murky and polluted by trash. I come from a place where we can unite instead of driving a wedge between us. We do not have pizza and chicken but we do have tama, crunchy on the outside but soft and chewy on the inside, like our people. We have hard shells but once you get to the inside, the soft sweet side is revealed. My father was a person so great, yet left my life. In so doing, he made me stronger, showing me the real world. I am the phoenix that rises from the ashes. I rise up from the pain and suffering. I am still rising...

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Dear "Father" by Maria Why do you get mad when I call him dad? Does it bother you that he has given me everything he possibly could? Does it bother you that when people ask me if he is my real dad, I reply yes? Why do you have so much hate for him? Is it because he was here those 14 years that you were not? Or maybe it is because when he says he loves me, I actually believe him? But yet, you claim he is not my real father. He is as close as it will ever get to a real dad for me. When I was seven, I cut open my leg. Who was the one that held my hand the whole time and whispered in my ear that it was going to be alright. What about at age 10, when my mom fell into depression and I had no one to look up to? Who helped guide the way? Now,

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at almost fifteen, who do you think I want to be dancing with in the father and daughter dance at my Quincenera. You say, “You only have one real dad in this life and you will end up realizing it, sooner or later.” The funny thing is: I already did a long time ago.

Laugh or Cry by Daisy I remember my brother told me a joke. I laughed so much I cried the first time. He said the joke again. I laughed, but not as hard as the first. He repeated the joke. I did not laugh. Then, he said, “If you cannot laugh at the same joke over and over, why do you cry over people who hurt you over and over?”

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Dear Me by Emilly I know you do not like cheesy introductions. So I will just say what I have to say and leave. 6 year olds usually do not know much of the world yet. But you already know so much. How is that? How do you already know the effects of alcohol? How do you know what it is like living in fear of your parents? How do you know that even though you are so young, you are not like the rest? Why do you know how to protect your 1 year old sister from situations where everything can go wrong? I know so much about you obviously. You cry so much Crybaby, they call you. Do not listen. You have a reason to cry. But I know you will listen not just hear. You listen. You are worried now, so you stop. You start losing feelings as the years pass, holding in all of the sadness and anger. It all comes out in 7th grade.

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Getting older, you realize you cannot cry anymore. You do not know how to. So instead of crying, you laugh. Happiness makes its way into your heart. So now, you have the choice. It is a difficult decision, learning to let go of anger and sadness. It can be difficult. It can take years, not saying anything is so much quicker So, you decide it is worth it. After a couple years, you are finally there. You have reached happiness. So, you, a small 6 year old, have a long way to go. In the end, there is always something better than a pot of gold.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Imagine by Celeste Imagine this: a young girl is sitting in a classroom, her shirt just a little big, slides off her shoulder. The teacher says, “You need to change.” Girls cannot show their legs or shoulders because it is a distraction. Yet no one teaches these boys that just because a girl dressed a certain way does not mean you can get in thier pants. Imagine this: a girl walks down the street in some short shorts and a tank top. There are cars full of men that turn their heads so they are no longer looking at the road. People honk and yell as they drive passed this young girl. Little does she know, she is not alone. There has been a man following her for the past 20 blocks. As soon as she is out of the public's view, he robs her of her innocence. She runs home with a sea in her eyes and tells her parents. Their only reaction is, “You shouldn't dress like that then…”

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Girls are used, taught that we cannot dress a certain way because the boys, the men will do things to you that you are not ready to do. Somehow it is our fault that these boys, these men cannot keep their pets locked away. This is to the men who follow young girls until they are alone. This is to the men who follow women to the restroom at the bar. This is to anyone who does not take responsibility, who think it is okay to blame a woman for what you have done to her. This is to the young boys: do not make the same mistake these foolish men have made. We are women, not something you can just take, because it looks good.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

My Life by Jairo I am the mix of families and come from a place where blood runs down the streets. I look in the mirror and see the man I have become. In my dreams, I imagine becoming myself and doing what others fear to be because they cannot. I will barely be known, yet not truly understood. You can guess what I was but I have changed, evolved, innovated, and not been overrated. I will define the future I am a cycle that will terminate but I will always be in the stars. I come from the soil that was shed with blood to change my community and have some empathy. I will be what my family and dead friends could not. I will always remember that I come to the U.S for a better future and start fresh.

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Beautiful Struggles by Fabiola I come from a place where people lift up gang signs instead of a warm hand to shake. But there is always beauty in the struggles other people face. I come from a place where respect is only received by those who have lighter skin and my skin color should be something supposedly to be ashamed of. But I find being brown as being blessed. I come from a place white people call home, where I was labeled as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Abandoned Childâ&#x20AC;? or just another student who will get pregnant in a while. Because I am brown, people confuse me for dirt. For the people who say that, thank you. Dirt is a part of nature! You use products to change who you are. But I am born with natural beauty. Others have an easier path while I have to build my own tracks. I would like to be labeled as a survivor, instead of an abandoned child. I would like to meet that man society calls a father. But then I pull back because I need to spend time with the man who has stepped up to fill that role.

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The people who have never had a chance to taste a simple struggle will never realize the beauty that once was created from it.

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Musicians by Davit Most “musicians” these days sing about sex, as if to put a hex on people saying, “Listen to this.” It is buzzfeed level of click-bait. Do not get me wrong. Some songs are great but others are under debate. The whole world suffers from superstition. They must not have heard of Stevie Wonder and his mission to prevent this. No, Bob Marley, everything is not alright. In fact, it gives me quite a fright to denounce that the whole world has fallen under a testosterone-filled teenage angst of musical insanity. Since over 50% of songs contain profanity in some way shape or form. You cannot pass by a college dorm and not hear the latest hit take you into a hurricane-level storm. Good songs are apparently out of the norm. You never hear a song from Caravan Palace at a dorm, never hear something from steam powered giraffe. It is as if some wizard took a staff

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

and said good songs are for naught. So many genres, yet they sing about sex. From to swing music to dubstep, they put you under a hex, soon to be forgotten and flooded by a sea of underrating. All the while, the rest of the world keeps on masturbating to the latest hits and bit by bit forgetting good music because “Dude this new Selena Gomez song is so lit.” So here is some advice, if you do not want to keep your hands to yourself, how about you grab a book from a shelf or do anything else but listen to pop music to escape this hex because most “musicians” these days sing about sex.

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Those Moments by Miranda Is it crazy how I feel about love? I mean, I never really experienced it truly. Every time I tried, I always ended up failing. It does not matter if it was him or a family member. It just breaks another string off my heart and boom, I am stuck at the same question. But I do not get down about it. I do not care honestly. I will just know better next time. So no, I am not saying that I got myself or it is just me. and I. I have people by my side and do not think I am faking my smile. I am just doing me. Know that in the future, I will not be able to do these crazy adventure again. So, I might as well enjoy them now. Little do you know that I keep going forward because love is always worth waiting for but so are the happy moments in life.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Success of a Swish by Ulises Life is like basketball. One game, you will be ten for ten. In others, you might be 0 for 10. But you have to remember why you are here, what struggles you have overcome. Remember the racism you experienced as a teen, the discrimination of being the last kid picked on the team, the hours you have put in the court. So do not let an ankle bruise or temptation stop you from the big goal you want to accomplish. You have to fight the obstacles. Do not give up. You are not going to have every call go your way. The refs might make a bad call. But you have more to pass. Persevere and have no fear. You have to be clutch and make every second count. You have to want to take the shot when everyone is nervous. Put the fear and doubts behind you. 5 Take control. 4

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Dribble your dreams. 3 Crossover your problems. 2 Stepback and reflect on your accomplishments. 1 Take a risk and shoot. 0 Swish your dreams.

The Elotero by Carlos I am a basketball player. I live to play the game. People know my number as 21. But I can be something else. I can be a bright yellow vegetable. I am called the corn. I may be 1,000 years old but I keep on growing on and on and on. I was really small back then. But now I am in my middle stage, waiting to be finally grown out. The day is still coming when I am finally grown. They call the basketball player the Elotero.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Problems in America by Marilyn Let us talk about the problems in America. Racism: hating on people because of their skin color. â&#x20AC;&#x153;How did it start?â&#x20AC;? is all I can wonder. We are all human beings, small and tall. LGBT discrimination: dissing someone for their sexual orientation, telling them they are an abomination. Our teachers tell us that we are bounded in unity, but no. Our world is not a utopian society, like our peers say it is. It is run down into the ground, trying to get itself out of the hell and hatred. But we are stuck. The ditch latched onto us, like a leech feeding on our fear growing stronger. If we do not stand up and fight, it will go on for longer. Domestic Abuse: beating up the person you love,

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hurting them physically, mentally, and emotionally; causing hurt towards people, filling them with hatred. Drug abuse: letting a non-living object change your life; slowly letting your sanity drift away into the darkness; leaving us with a darkened image of the person. There are all these problems in the world, but we still keep our heads up, rising against the pain and suffering in our world to make sure every word is heard. I will not stop telling people about the problems we face. This does not come from a desire to cause pain, but to help bring the uprising of the people, being the voice to help them raise their fist. We must show the people who doubted us that we are the powerful and are able to commit to following our dreams. We keep our pain written on our sleeves and hearts to make us stronger.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

The Not So Perfect Life by Maria and Miranda Reaching my goals is like grabbing a star. Once I touch the sky, then I am not very far. Learning and knowing have differences but learning and taking the pain is just the same. I will remember those days and the past trying to take me back. But I did not want to go back. I have chosen to keep moving forward Yes, I keep getting knocked down but I also keep picking myself up. I am the type of girl who hides behind doors. They never noticed me because I am always getting ignored. I do not let these pretty girls get above me. I know I will always be the top Queen. These childish boys get me so confused. I hate how we never really understood, only used. Now I am stuck and lost in my mind, not knowing what to do. I always hid and cried. They say I am an amazing girl, just never really tired in this world. I hate how time gets lost,

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feeling like my life is a clock. Once we became a couple, everything is perfect. But once he switches, then I am not worth it. Now, I hate love. Life is nothing but rough, not sure if I can keep it up. But for sure, I am not giving up (Thank you Grecia for helping us in the past)

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

The Coma by Emilly They tell us we are strong enough to accomplish anything. But sometimes, we need help just like my Tia Juthid. Her son and daughter were now my grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. That diploma was not just a paper anymore. Taken seriously was her education. But suddenly, there was no more time. A desk was now the hospital bed. The classroom was the hospital room. She could only write with the needles in her arms. Her capacity to learn stopped because of the coma she is in. Almost eight long months did her children cry for mom never came home. But one day, she opened an eye and saw the world differently. Yes, now the diploma matters But family comes first.

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Struggle to the Top by Celeste I have heard stories, lots of them. I was told I was motherless for a little. I was told that my dad left. I was told my stepdad was a jerk. But that is nothing I have experienced, that is not where I start. I began when I first started to know my dad, then did not. I began when I started going over to my stepdadâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house with my sister. That was the first step up this mountain I am still trudging. I know a lot of pain. I hear so many screams in these woods, so many scratches, I do not think I could count them. Purple and blue covers my heart and mind. I wish for peace but purple and blue is all my troubled self seems to know.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

I have seen red and white multiple times though, wishing I had not. Those colors seemed to always be in my presence even though I have not done anything. Bugs hold my face up as I am walking the mountain. I cannot seem to do it by myself anymore. I have got my head at the top. I know I will make it. I will be able to get on top and finally smile, finally feel relief. That is all I have on my mind. What is at the top waiting for me? I do not like to keep people waiting, so I am going to the top. I will get there in time.

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Lucha by Jairo Wrestling, that is what life is. The first period you win your childhood. During the second, you lose your teenage years. The third and final round is adulthood, which you define by training, getting stronger, and preparing yourself for success. Before you can win or lose, the important preparation happens in elementary school middle school, high school, and college. You have to be ready for every challenge that comes your way. When you experienced defeat, rise up and fight with your heart Believe that you will be the winner in your life match.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

One Day by Fabiola Dear Mom, I might not be the best daughter, or granddaughter. But I try my best to bring home compliments instead of troubles. I know I have been off track a couple of times but God gave me the strength to build a path so my brothers can follow them when I am not watching over them. I see others make fun of you because you have certain job. But just wait until you have nicer place. Just wait until people start looking at you with more respect. Hopefully you live long so I can give you a life you deserve. One day, just one day, people will look at you like you have the stars in your hands. I know I have stories that I leave unsaid, decisions that only God wishes he can leave unseen. My problem are not as big, but sometimes, I feel like my spirit is not as alive as the oxygen my lungs receive. But one day,

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just one day, I will tell you the stories I leave unsaid. One day, you will see me succeed. Just one day, people will see the sunshine your heart releases and notice the kind of daughter that is just like you.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Perfect Chaos by Quiana Take me to a utopia, where people have no problems with each other. You cannot because if there is no problem, then that is a problem. Perfect does not exist, but people try to get as close as they can. I guess my question is: Why? Why try to be someone you are not when there is only one of you in the world? Why try to be perfect? Nobody knows what perfect really looks like. People have different thoughts on different subjects. That is what makes a human. Follow your own thoughts, do what you think is right, and you might disagree with others. That is the beauty of humanity: you have different ideas around the world. So do not hide yours. Show off that beautiful mind because when someone tries to disagree with you, the sweet sensation of winning a debate drives you to keep sharing your ideas. Then, another person will show their ideas to the world and make it a more chaotic place. Chaos is not bad. It is just not perfect.

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Insanity by Davit There is a war inside my head. Sometimes I wish that I was dead. I am broken and so I contact a therapist. He says, â&#x20AC;&#x153;You cannot be fixed, just take this.â&#x20AC;? I am tired of trying to be normal. I keep on overthinking. I am driving myself crazy. So what if I am? I do not need your quick fix to entertain my mind with cheap tricks. Just because you say I am crazy does not mean I am. I may sometimes be sporadic but I will not do something drastic. I know that I am not crazy so stop saying that I am.

Telling Our Stories Spoken Word Class

Challenges by Marilyn I am a girl from an island that no one knows about and come from a long line of strong and creative people. I look in the mirror and see a blurred image, not able to see my future self. In my dreams, I imagine myself raising a fist in the air, telling people that want to keep me down that I am a Palauan native. I cry when the power of my voice leaves my lips making me small once again. But the hatred makes me laugh. My love for singing and dancing feels like it is my only way to escape the cold and brutal world. I am a young lady. It is unfair that people use my powerful words against me. I feel angry when people think that I am part of a lower class and unable to do anything right. If I could change one thing, it would be the lack of equality in society. I am a girl ready for a new challenge in life.