Where I Am From

I am from a background of survivors trying to survive life in the hard and challenging world
Where people try not to look at today's image as it is
Where my people are at war fighting over petty issues that will never get a resolution

I am from soul food
Where my family gets together year-round and eats and talks about trips and reunions
Where we can spend time together as one
From a persistent challenge for my friends and family to stay in school and achieve.
To believe that "I have a dream."

I am from Erica Badu and India Arie's dreams.
From the idea that we can all be united as one coming from a past of struggle and poverty.
From Malcolm X preaching the word, leaving off from the past of Martin Luther King Jr. and the rest of the timeline.
From those trying to help one another and make something of themselves.

I am from weave ponytails and gels.
Where people put on fronts so they may look pretty on the outside, but don't realize the true beauty comes from the inside.
I am from Baby Phat, Prada, Nike, and Rocawear.
I am from where people spend all their money instead of trying to help the ones who need it and the homeless.
I am from people putting to the collection plate in church and giving back to God after all of what he has and continues to do for us.

I am from pain and suffering.
Where my voice can't be heard because I am a child.
Where I have not really seen behind the curtain and can't see into the future.
I come from where I can't see someone who will make a change and speak upon issues that need to be spoken upon and changed.

I am from where a child-like me wants to make something of themselves
and just wants to be happy and live a good life with a family and friends.
I am from where I wish all the time that Adam and Eve never had bitten that apple
so there could be no evil and everyone could be whole.

I am from where I wonder, "Is there still hope left for the future?"
"Can there be a change?"

By Ashley Clinkscale