If I spent my life arguing with people over who I am, trying to convince them to like me, to accept me as is, or to embrace the choices I’ve made, I wouldn’t have any time or energy left to live or to love.

The reality is I was born a dark skinned black boy in Bakersfield, California. I’ve had haters from the time the sperm fertilized the egg and I can’t do anything about that. My head has been filled with statistics on the number of black men in prison versus in college and the probability of me living past 25. I’ve extensively studied slavery and its counterpart global white supremacy.

That being said, at the end of the day I can honestly say I don’t think the people who stand against me are my problem. My struggle is not a struggle against man. No, my journey is about fulfilling the purpose God put me on this earth for. If I stay in the light and stay focused, what man can possibly stop me?