Latina Paving The Way

When you’re young,

You just don’t know.

You see the handcuffs,

But you don’t know what they mean.

You see the absence of certain family members and friends,

And you believe the stories your parents give you.

But the day comes,

When the truth can no longer be hidden from you.

When you find your idols are fakes,

And you have to learn to love them anyway.

When you have to learn what it means to be sheltered.

The day comes when you have to be responsible for yourself.

When you trust someone with your love

And they break your trust.

When you have to learn to love yourself.

When you have to take responsibility for the roles you play.

You go from only child to big sister.

From minor to college student.

You go from being the child

To being the first to enter the daunting world of higher education

No longer can you run to your parents

No longer can you skip on the bills

You embark on a journey to find your passion

And you have to do so gracefully.

You learn to roll with the punches.

You learn that you don’t have to be a product of your environment.

You learn that you are in charge of your own destiny

And you don’t quit when the going gets tough.

You beat the statistics

And you become the person you were always meant to be:

Educated, beautiful, graceful and successful.

You become the icon you wanted as a child.

You show the world that your kinky hair and darker skin complexion does not stop your success.