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epresentation matters not just for us to see, but for others around us who are watching us. Every day when we walk out of our homes, we are representing our culture, our community, our race, and our mother! The world traveler T. Marie said “In every country I visit I make sure to watch my actions, behaviors and interactions with everyone I meet. What is common knowledge to us, is not common for most of the world. I learned this, when I was once asked, are there black people in America? And again, when I was told “Wow, I didn’t know you were like me, I thought you had loose morals like in the movies!” We are the representation, for the world. Which gives us even more reason to be unapologetic even though it can be hard. Have you experienced: Being judged for wearing your natural hair.
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Wear it anyway! The youth need to see professionals and business owners that look like them, with hair like them and with accents like them. Not using your natural voice, because it is not “professional” Some of us must drastically change the way we talk and live in fear of being misjudged if we slip back into our natural vernacular. Some of us share the un-
