I am from Silly-Bands,
from fidget-spinners to Shopkins.
I am from Justin Bieber,
from “Baby, baby, baby, Oh!”
I am from a childhood of color, with grey undertones.
I am from the honor roll,
from academic validation to perseverance.
I am from a mother, but no father.
I am from the welcoming of reality into a young child’s mind.
I am from “No Justice, No Peace,”
from lockdown drills to checking our Halloween candy before eating it.
I am from, “What college are you going to?”
“What do you plan on studying?”, and “What’s your plan for the future?”
I am from these moments leading up to the present,
from the undetermined future to hopeful success and happiness.