I matter

Not because I’m white

Not because I’m female

Not because I’m rich

Because I am a human being

Every word and opinion I express is important to me

And I’m no less of a person because I can’t learn as fast as you or

I can’t talk as well as you or

I can’t run as fast as you or hit a ball with a bat or

Type without typos

I can’t finish a book and

I can’t watch scary movies and

I can’t sleep for 8 hours every night and

I can’t go one day without thinking about hurting myself

I still matter

I am still important

Because just like you I can function in society and serve a purpose

And

I matter because

I have talent

Because I have ambition

Because while some people are handed everything I work for what I have

Not because I’m a genius but

Because I try

Hard

Because I lay the bricks of my future with every step I take

I matter because

Someday your children will be sitting in my classroom

And you’ll be paying for it

I matter because I care about the future

Not only for me

But for everybody

I matter because I am human

Not because I’m white

Not because I’m female

Not because I’m rich

I matter because I am me