One of the obstacles I have overcome was the adversity of growing up as a black girl in predominantly white schools. I faced an obstacle of learning to love myself in an environment that didn’t always reflect or value my identity. Majority of my childhood, I struggled with self-acceptance, feeling disconnected from both my peers and even from myself at times. My journey to self-love was long and often difficult, but it has shaped who I am today and continues to influence how I navigate the world. From a young age, I was aware of the fact that I didn’t look like the majority of the children around me. Most of my classmates had fair skin, straight hair, blue eyes and features that aligned with the "beauty standards" For me I had thick 4c hair, darker skin, and fuller features. I often heard comments about my hair, the way I talk, or my skin color. I heard well-meaning but misguided remarks like, “Your hair is so big,” or “You’re so pretty for a Black girl,” which left me feeling like my identity was something that needed to be measured against a standard that was never mine to begin with. The turning point came during high school when I started to meet other young Black girls who embraced their natural beauty and their culture. They taught me to value my hair, my skin, and my background. Soon, I started to work through those thoughts of self-doubt and began to embrace who I was, as my authentic self. I started wearing my natural hair, stopped feeling ashamed of my slang, the way I talk, and began to see the beauty in my blackness. The journey of finding self love didn’t happen overnight. It took time but as I learned to love myself, I also learned how to stand up for myself. I stopped brushing off things like racism and microaggressions and started calling them out. I became more confident in who I am and learned to speak up for why representation and inclusivity are so important Looking ahead, I will apply the lessons of self-love to my future endeavors. I've realized that my worth isn’t about how other people see me, but how I see myself. This has given me the confidence to face challenges without worrying about being judged or rejected. I’ve learned that being Black is something to be proud of, not something that holds me back. I want to inspire others—especially young Black girls—to love and embrace who they are, regardless of societal pressures or stereotypes. Overall, the obstacle of learning self-love as a Black girl in a predominantly white environment taught me the importance of authenticity, self-worth, and resilience. By embracing my identity and recognizing its power, I’ve gained the strength to face any challenge that comes my way and to encourage others to do the same.

Adversity is a normal part of life that everyone has to face and go through at some point in their life. It can come in many different ways, big or small. Adversity is what builds character in humans and teaches us lessons. Everyone is going to come across it, but it's about how you overcome it. For me, overcoming adversity has been challenging but it has made me the person I am today, and it has tested my strength. One of the biggest adversities I have faced in my life was the loss of my dad. I was only 6 years old when my dad died and while at the time I didn't fully grasp the concept of death I knew my dad was gone, and my life was not going to be the same. The passing of my father was so sudden and unexpected my family and I were in shock and grief. I was able to quickly feel the absence of him and the change in my family's moods. The support of my family and my sisters is what got me through this time of adversity, without them I don't think I would be able to write this essay. In the course of my grief and sadness I had my family, friends, and teachers for support, they kept me distracted and made sure I remained happy and was able to express my feelings. My two sisters are a big reason on how I overcame this difficult time, knowing we were going through the same feelings. It gave me a safe space. We could cry and be sad together, but we could also laugh, enjoy each other's company and stay kids together. I knew that with them everything was going to be okay. Their presence was my strength and comfort, my source of joy. As time passed and I got older, I began to find comfort in the memories of my father and remembering the way he was. I remembered his strength, his confidence, his laugh and humor, the way he could make any room he stepped in full of laughs and good times, I remembered most of all the way he loved his family and his daughters. I started to realize I am his legacy and that the best way to keep his memory here with us is to carry on his legacy with love, and strength. Now that I am older there are many times I wish I had my dad here so he can be with me through all the accomplishment and to watch me grow up to be the young lady he always knew I would be. It's always going to be something that is hard to face and live with but I know that I am strong enough, and have been given the resources to overcome this adversity. In the future, I hope to advocate for young children who have lost a parent, and to become a resource for mental health awareness and be the support for those who are grieving. Losing a loved one is not easy, especially a parent, it can impact your whole life and your mental and emotional well being. It's very important that there are resources that can support those who are struggling. I hope one day, I can create a safe space for kids who I once was, support and help them with a difficult time. The loss of my dad was a huge part of adversity for me but with the support of my family and my own resilience I am able to overcome it.