Mia Woodard,
Dallas, TX

Because of my skin color, when I’m out in public I am looked at with disgust and spoken to rudely.
Because of my skin color, I am not always afforded the same opportunities as the next.
Because of my skin color, the Asian cashier in the beauty store follows and watches me.
Because of my skin color, I am an automatic threat to police officers, the same ones that supposed to protect, right?
Because of my skin color I’m held at gun point and killed for wearing a hoodie and having a pack of skittles and Amazon tea.
Because of my skin color, its okay for a police officer to put his knee into my neck, after I repeatedly said “I can’t breath”
Because of my skin color, it’s okay for a white person to comment racial slurs.
Because of my skin color, it’s okay for police officers to come in my home, without announcing themselves and kill me.
Because of my skin color, I don’t get justice.
Because of my skin color, I am stereotyped.
Because of skin color, I get a heavier sentence, than the white man who committed the same crime.
Because of my skin color, I am strong.
Because of my skin color, I am brave.
Because of my skin color, I am smart.
Because of my skin color, I am beautiful.
Because of my skin color, I am a Queen.
Because of my skin color, I am Black.
Because of my skin color, I am ME.