Presented at the FLOC Learning Center’s Black History Month Student Awards Celebration

I have many years to become someone new,
But, I’ve been held down so long, because of the things
I’ve been through. Day by day, and night by night,
My dreams and thoughts have been such a fright.
At this point I don’t know which way,
I guess I have to take the chance to kneel and pray.

As I pray I begin to feel free,
Everything that held me down, came right out of me.
I can smile, and laugh and move on from the past,
I can be the person that you said I would never be,
That person - black, strong, and that person is me.

No matter what people may say about me,
I’m stay strong and continue to be.
No matter how much they may make me cry,
I’m stay strong and don’t worry “why”.
No matter how much they may put me down,
I’m be me and stand my ground.
And, no matter how much them people think they know,
I’m take it slow and continue to grow.