Congratulations! Once again we’ve managed to get through the tough years of education and impossible teachers. The caps and gowns worn through our preschool, elementary, middle and high school graduations has served their true purpose for getting us ready for the next years of learning. The purpose this time—to get us prepared for reality.
HBCU’s don’t get enough credit. Together, we learned what an African-American can do with their education in a white man’s land. When we step through those doors in a few hours, we will experience it ourselves. So as an African-American woman who has seen so many of the world’s flaws, it is with all due respect that I inform you of what to expect.

Student Protests On Missouri Campus Retrieved January 11, 2016 from http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=black+students+protesting&view=detailv2&id=3224432F3DE0A4C0E708717823DF7586D1B8209D&selectedindex=6&ccid=1EwIQKlK&simid=608020232970766878&thid=OIP.Md44c0840a94a8ca929110e15b7e98b07o0&mode=overlay&first=1

As people of color, we were born with the stereotypes bringing dishonor to our race. It has been that way for generations, and it will be that way if we do not step forward to change it. Sitting in these seats should make you realize how far you’ve come. You are here for a reason. Let that reason be to change American’s image of a black man. I say black man because he is at the bottom of the pyramid. You may not like the realization of that but to fix an issue, it must be addressed. The labor of an African-American man will always be over looked in a white facility. At least the African-American woman got a sideways glance. African-American women cannot change their royal instincts to shine brighter than others, therefore we are slowly recovering this world. It is our duty as Black Queens to help our Kings in danger. We as a race fight for our rights together or we do not fight at all.

Students protesting against police brutality Retrieved January 11, 2016 from http://www.dailycal.org/2014/12/04/black-students-stage-protest-golden-bear-cafe-police-killings/

It seems like every week that we hear the injustice of a young black child. Why didn’t we hear it before it was broadcasted to angry mobs? It’s a set up. Yes, we want to inform the world of how poorly we are treated but when we go to the government, they lay back and eat popcorn, happy to see where their instigation went. We do not need their help. We need ourselves. As I speak now, there may be a white man killing an innocent group of black children just to ease his boredom. It will appear on the news. What do we do? We will not start a riot, start a hashtag, or praise the celebrities holding up edited cards saying Free the Black People. What we definitely will not do is get down to their level and kill another person to get even. As a strong and mindful race, we will obtain the peace of our heritage and speak with the ability to set the innocent lives free. We will rise together to show them how powerful and indestructible we are.
This will be the last time we wear these caps and gowns. There is nothing else to learn but experience. As soon as we take the cap off, our legendary crowns of ebony glory will replace them. Even our gowns are covering up each of our special robes we have absent-mindedly created. You will have attackers of your own. They will try to feed off your light, steal your shine and make it their own, but you alone will know the truth unless you speak up. We have been taken advantage of for centuries but this generation will end that once and for all. We will stand up for the rights our ancestor’s fought for but did not finish.

Morehouse College graduates Retrieved January 11, 2016 from http://www.rolloutmagazine.com

We all were born with degrading stereotypes, but we were also born with the skin of grace. We bare the skin of ancient royalty, starting all the way from King Tut and the Queen of Sheba. The strength of a hundred suns, the heart of a thousand moons, and the beauty of a million stars, our race will prevail. There is no war we cannot lose with God on our side. Experience can only be taught personally and personally it will be taught.
As an African-American in America, I will always be black. I will not be offended because it shows my honor to be fully colored in. To have no flaws. We as a race, are nothing short of perfection. Only the colorless will say otherwise.

Sunday Owens. I am currently a junior at Fairfield High Preparatory School in Alabama. I enjoy reading and hope to be a best selling author in the future.
IG @sunnydnumber3
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Written By: Sunday Owens, Staff Writer, #mygirlsquad