When I was ten years old I was taught to wash my skin with lemon juice.

It would first irritate my skin, then bleach it.

So that it was lighter, more pink. less yellow.

When I was six I was taught to straighten my hair.

told that it wasn't beautiful how it was.

told that no man would want me if my hair was curly like that. 

When I was four I was taught the difference between english and spanish.

and how we should never speak spanish outside of our home.

When I was eleven I was told I didn't "look latina enough" by a white boy.

When I was fourteen I was told that I "wasn't a real latina" because I am not fluent in spanish.

My grandmother was an immigrant.

she faced predjuidice I can not imagine because of her heritage.

We were taught to erase who we are.

To forget our culture.

To forget ourselves.

And then we weere told we are not valid because we chose to conform.

We live in a system designed for an impossible standard.

I can not be everything,

I can not please everyone.

And frankly, I'm done trying.

I am not latina. I am not black. I am not white. I am not going to force myself into a label that is only used to opress and erase.

I am strong.

I am smart.

I am independent.

I am limitless.

I do not need your approval anymore.