Gas Prices Essay

Submitted By chuckie23
Words: 954
Pages: 4

“I was born in the Congo. I walked to the Fertile Crescent and built the sphinx. I designed a pyramid so tough that a star that only glows every one hundred years falls into the center giving divine perfect light. I am bad.” This is an excerpt from one of my favorite poems called “Ego Trippin,” by Nikki Giovanni. I believe this poem embraces what defines me and my culture. Being an African American woman can be one of the most difficult roles I will ever play. There are so many negative stereotypes that one must overcome when one is a minority. However, to be a double minority just makes things harder. But, despite these things, I am so proud of my culture and where I come from. I believe that my mother made me this way. She always instilled in me not to make excuses for underachieving. She didn’t allow me to use the fact I am a woman or African American as a reason to be any less than successful or do my best. She was such a great role model for me that it was only natural to take her strong characteristics and pass them on to my children.
I believe that’s where it all starts. Whether it is positive or negative, the family values a child has or experiences defines them as a person. For example, a child that grows up in a home where there is no affection will typically become a child that has difficulty being affectionate with the people around them. I was brought up in a very loving environment, an environment where my mother encouraged us to help people that were less fortunate. Ironically, at times we were the less fortunate, but my mother never let us feel that we were less superior. I believe that diversity can cause people to react differently in this situation though. Some people believe their race or financial status makes them better than others. However, that is far from the truth and my mother passed that belief on to me. That is why I believe that I have such a desire to help children and single mothers that are not in a position where they can help themselves. My brother is the same way. He has a strong desire to help others and give back to his community. I believe more people need to have the desire to build up their communities and help the people around them. I think that family is the start of everything from the type of person you become to the political views you hold to the religion you choose. Diversity and differences can cause people to interact differently. However, it is not a reason for people to be exclusive towards others. Embracing the differences could make better people, and more knowledgeable and understanding individuals.
My family is a close knit family and we support each other in all of our endeavors. Growing up seeing such a strong support system has made me pass this on to my children and my family. My mother showed us how to be strong and proud of who we were as people not because of what possessions we had. I think that is why I like the above poem so much. That poem symbolizes pride in your culture and shows strength in women. My favorite quote in that poem is a line that states, “I am so hip, even my errors are correct.” I believe that I embrace my faults and don’t let others influence my self-esteem because of what society deems to be correct. I believe that is what has helped me stay so grounded and comfortable in my own skin. I think if more people were comfortable in their own skin, diversity wouldn’t scare people so much. Hate comes from a place of ignorance, because an individual doesn’t understand another culture. However, if we could all embrace our differences the world could start to become a better environment to grow up