When I was in elementary school- age 8

I was taught to “ be all you can be”

Our minds were like architecture; like the baskets we weave

When I was in middle school – age 14

I was told what to do, how to think and what I should try

And like most girls my age, I was thinking about a boy with a twinkle in my eye

By the time I was 18 everyone had changed their dreams

From being like mommy to being mommies by the age of 19

I graduated high school with nearly straight A’s and with honors

While some of my peers practiced saying “ yes your honor”

I graduated from college with a Bachelor of Social Work at the age of 23 and currently pursuing my Masters with many goals still in range

And to answer your question: this is what I would change…

I’d change how teachers are paid to embrace and educate but never fully support dreams

I’d change the stigma that being on welfare to support your family means that you will never make moves toward progress

I’d change the parents who wait until age 40 to regress

 And while looking for prom dresses with their daughters they are looking for their club dress

I’d change the mothers and fathers who give up on teaching their children to be brave, try new things, and have the courage to fail and try again

I’d change the mothers missing out on so much of their children’s lives trying to be their best friend

I’d change the way youth see incarceration so that it is nothing to be revered

I’d instill something in our youth called “ GOD” The only thing they should fear

I’d put hope back into the hopeless and set new dreams in motion

I know it’s a long rode to travel, but if I had only one thing I could change

These are the steps I’d take to:

Alleviate the learned hopelessness from that of which I came.