Sometimes you just have to speak up. Thank you for sharing your voice, Denise. You are such a beautiful soul. - mnd xo

"It took me a lot of tries to get this picture right.

I remember the day so vividly with tears streaming down my eyes I recalled the story of a boy making fun of me at school to my parents.

He called me a " Mexican chicken" I told them and they believing it was kids being kids laughed at my story. They knew that there was nothing to be ashamed of. But for me a young El Salvadorean girl growing up in two cultures it was the first memory of recognizing my differences. It was at that tender age of grade 1 that I knew that my cultures expressions always had the chance of being made fun of. In that moment I learned I must hide in order for acceptance to occur. I didn't want to stand out. I just wanted to "fit" in.
I don't have all the "right" ways to express what is happening in this current state of the world in regards to race. It's not a new thing. Racism exists. This post is a simple small window into my world view that perhaps you didn't know exists within me. Within this 30 year old woman exists that little girl with her big hair and insecurities attempting to raise her voice for change.

I encourage you to take the time to fully listen to your friends of colour who are your loved ones in regards to the hurdles that they have had to overcome by the colour of the skin.
These are my thoughts for now...
To be continued..."

Posted with permission by Denise Valle