My name is Asia Mclaren and I am a young black woman. Sometimes, I pretend to be someone who has the answers to everything. I think most people perceive me as someone who has their life together when I'm just trying to figure my own self out. I wish I could be the version of me who knows exactly what she wants out of life and knows how to get there.

Theme 2: First Experience with Race

My first experience with race was at a church my family used to attend in Bellflower. I was seven years old at the time. I was at church and some of the kids I was friends with had all decided to go to one of our friends' houses' after church. I was so excited to go and as we were all walking to her mom's car, I was stopped. Her mother said I couldn't come over because there wasn't enough room in the car. That wasn't true because it was a total of 4 girls, me included, and her mother drove a minivan that could seat up to seven passengers. So time went on and this happened every time I tried to go over her house. Eventually, my mother got fed up and asked her what the problem was and she couldn't get a direct answer. That was when I realized it wasn't about there not being enough room; I realized it was because I was different from the rest of them. This grown, white woman felt it was necessary to prevent her white daughter from being friends with a black girl despite us attending the same church. I remember feeling sad and confused, wondering why I wasn't good enough. I don't usually talk about this experience because the topic of "first racial experience" never really comes up in any conversations I've had. This experience has led me to believe that racism has to be taught. I got along so well with that little girl. We used to tell everyone we were sisters. Her mother knew she had to instill that hatred in her and so she did.

Theme 3: Positive Sense of Self Brainstorm

Self-perception plays a significant role in shaping how individuals view their racial and ethnic identities, with a positive self-image enabling the acceptance and celebration of one's cultural background. a strong sense of self can create connections within one's cultural community, and identifying positively with African American Psychology can further strengthen both self and ethnic identity through empowerment and understanding of the historical and societal contributions made by specific cultural groups.