I am... Catherine

I am Catherine 

Born into a family of 6

Raised by two loving parents 

A child who broke the standard

Not your typical black family 

Raised to care for others but myself

To love one another but show self respect 

To give into the will of cops because of this screwed up world 

Told to listen to them no matter what 

Scared no knowing if my family will make it home safely everyday

Told by others to hate  myself because of the color of my skin

constantly feeling self- conscious

put down feeling worthless

but throguhout all of the standards

I rise 

I rise to see a better tomorrow for myself

to no longer live in fear of one another 

to not feel like I'm constantly in a contest

To be accpeted in this world we call earth

to be the inspiration others see

the person they call hopeful 

the one they always see with a smile on her face