I am

By Chelsea, 14

I am not white. I am swirls of green, blue, purple, orange, yellow, and colors no one knows.

I am not American. I am part of a much larger culture…the human race.

I am not asking you to follow my lead or do what I do. I am asking you to walk with me and be my friend.

I am not asking you to love me. I am asking you to respect me, even though we are different.

I am not rich with money, cars, or jewelry. I am rich with love, hope, and faith.

I am not part of the crowd, yet I am not alone. I am just me.

I am not looking at you because you are different. I am looking at you because I am curious and want to learn.

I am not going to be mad at the people trying to bring us down. I am going to thank them for making me stronger and wiser.

I am not going to fight you for our differences. I am gong to embrace you for our differences.

I am not going to say I'm sorry because someone thinks you're different. I am going to stand by your side and let us be different together.

I am not white. I am swirls of green, blue, purple, orange, yellow, and colors no one knows.