#thisisamerica

If he NEVER does an SNL stint again, this is for sure good enough for me.

“So that they may see what they have become…

So that they may see what they have become…

So that they may see your light.

So that they may see what they have become…

So that we may see what they have always been.

#REFLECT

#SundaySketch #ThisIsAmerica #BlackLivesMatter

Art inspired by the incredible photography of @daisugano 🙏🏾✨”

Advice for Younger Me and Black Girls Everywhere:

Your name is quite literally “beautiful”. Make them say it right, every single time. Do not allow them to butcher it and walk away, nor laugh at it for sounding “too weird”.

Your hue is the product of all of your ancestors, of which you should be proud. They were not slaves; they were *enslaved*. Educate others, if need be, on the difference. 

Your history is rich and not merely made up of cotton plantations and a master’s last name. You come from a beautiful and naturally-rich continent that, no matter what anyone says, contains your roots. Embrace them.

Your aptitude is not lesser than anyone else’s. You have an inner brilliance, and it’s up to you to recognize it. Do not look to others to validate your potential or acumen. Do not feel obligated to appear twice as smart and work twice as hard unless that’s what you want for yourself.

Your hair does not need to be straightened or otherwise “tamed” unless that’s what you want. It is good hair because it is your hair, long or short, thick or thin. How you wear it is your business and only your business. And if one day, there is no more of it, you are no less than who you were when you had it.

Your heart is pure and full of kindness. Share that kindness with others, but don’t let others mistake it for weakness. Compassion and empathy are good; don’t let anyone convince you that having them makes you a fool. And you get to choose who you share them with. Those who mistreat you need not apply.

As you grow, you will see so much. Some of it will make you happy; a lot of it might make you sad. And that’s okay. You get to feel your feelings. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have a right to be upset or angry. Do not unleash your ire without precision, but do not hold it in. Because depression is anger turned inward, and there’s not a soul on this earth who deserves such pain, especially not you.

You will be tested time and time again. But with every test will come new knowledge, about the world, about yourself. And that kind of knowledge is not bound to one specific place or genre. Keep your horizons broad and don’t feel like you owe it to anybody to shrink yourself down.

Life will be hard a lot of the time, and sometimes you will wonder what the point of all of it is. You will tire and maybe feel like you’ve had enough. You are not alone. And maybe knowing that doesn’t take away the strife, but it does help to keep it manageable. And you will always manage, even when you are absolutely sure you cannot. Even the worst of experiences don’t last forever. And when they’re over, you will be proud you made it through.

Your job is to take care of yourself before you take care of anyone else. Know that this has nothing to do with being selfish and everything to do with protecting and nourishing your soul. You can’t give anybody else anything that you’ve not allowed for yourself.