I’m from the people standing outside all night

I from the sounds of Carlos Santana and the hooray of Naughty By Nature

I’m from the smell of coco butter and Vaseline

I’m from “don’t embarrass me”

I’m from the garden that was watered in blood

I’m from “you need to be 3 times as good to get the same treatment”

I’m from the back of the class where the best jokes and Grinding beat lived

I’m from the smell and feel of a fresh comic book

I’m from “that’s my cousin” when we are in new spaces

I’m from “call your grandma to tell her what you did”

I’m from the people who made a way out of no way

I’m from the tears of hearing “I’m proud of you” 

I love to perform

And for a long time

Something was missing

Dancing didn't always make me feel all fuzzy and warm

I saw myself through harsh eyes

Only seeing what I couldn't do

Never appreciating all the special and unique things that shine through

Mistakes were dramatic

Fitting in was key

Until I discovered the true power of being me

I embraced mistakes

I used them to create

I let go of the impossible goal

Of trying to fit into the mold

-Jessica Montalvo "JMo"

My name is Whitney Delaney I am Twenty-Nine years old, I was born and raised  on the south side of Chicago Illinois. I am the youngest of 2 older sisters on my mom’s side and the third oldest on my dad’s side. Growing up in Chicago there were a lot of things that I saw that made me wonder what the world would be like if nothing went wrong in America. When it was time for me to go to school I had to be in the same class sometimes with my older sibling and that experience wasn’t easy for either one of us. I did things I am not proud of even up until this day I feel responsible for this day. I want to bring attention to the bullying that goes on in america. Growing up on the south side of Chicago I endured a lot of bullying and will admit I was a part of the people who were bullies as well. I started really believing the bullies when I first started noticing boys.  I would try to come up to one and introduce myself and tell him I liked him and the next thing I know I am getting teased and told that I am ugly or stupid and I wouldn’t get a boyfriend even if I had paid someone to pretend. Those words cut me and from that moment on I started self harming, as a way to escape the brutal and harsh words that were thrown my way.

I didn’t realize until later on in life that the negativity that surrounded me were people who really were just jealous of the true beauty I held on the inside.  I still struggle even as an adult with bullies especially at the workplace. I want to be able to come to work daily and not have to worry about the negativity or the hostility being brought to me. I want to be able to have an outlet where I don’t have to be worried about retaliation from another person. A lot of times things such as school shootings or riots began because a student or faculty member is frustrated and fed up with a situation that has been addressed but never resolved. I can give so many personal examples, however one that comes to mind is an incident that happened in high school. I went to a charter school and had a couple of family members work there, and because of this my sister and I were targets. All throughout my high school career I was bullied. On my last day as a senior I had finally had enough. 

I caused a scene yelling, screaming, cursing all of the students, staff members out. I was livid several times throughout my highschool years. I had sit down meetings with the principal and discipline committee about the constant bullying I was experiencing and nothing got resolved. I will admit I was a handful in high school. I thought I could get away with anything and couldn’t do no wrong. My mother, whom all of the staff loved, worked there so I thought I could do nothing and get away with it. Sadly mistaken on that part because once she did find out about the disruptions I would cause I had to deal with her when I got home. A lot of my anger back then steamed from not being taken seriously when I was continuously telling staff that I was getting bullied and picked on. I had finally found a solution I wished I would’ve continued to use in high school. I started back writing poetry, novels, songs, plays. I found a way to turn the mean and harsh things that were said about me into a poem and wouldn’t feel the need to attack myself. If Chicago had more opportunities for any and everyone who’s experienced being bullied or is a bully and trying to be a better person our city would be a lot more safer.

Freedom from the chains that keep our hands arms and legs bound.

Take the time to reflect on the countless of warriors from way back then.

Take the time to remember the things that they said and the things that they have done to pave the way for other's today.

The African American men and women who finally took a stand and demanded that their voices be heard.

The great leaders in the early 60’s were beginning to notice the many social injustices between what others referred to blacks as "colored" and the whites.

Seeing this sparked a bright flame inside of the belly of three phemonal human beings.

Harriet Tubman once a black slave herself got freed and discovered the underground railroad  the railroad was used to help free the slaves.

If it wasn't for her black womens hair would almost be impossible to manage at all.

Nelson Mandela another amazing leader who fought for equal rights.

Fighting a justice system that he studied and he decided that it didn't seem fair that everyone else who werent apart of the African race you'd be treated poorly.

For that reason along with many others Nelson Mandela was imprisonated for over twenty seven years and upom being released he went right to work.

Running for political office and eventually winning the presidency n becoming one of the first black man to run and win.

Martin Luther King Jr. lead the walk on Washington to have the captial understand all race gender and shapes and sizes deserve the same rights as everyone else.

To have their voices heard when he said he wantes equal rights the right to vote and to stop segregation.

All three leaders found a way to not endure their own personal trails and tribulations but to help guide and leave behind their legacy.

It's also up to many Americans who still have the notions that because we are of a different skin color we still are human and demand to be treated as such.

Up to the millons of americans who still need to discover that just because we aren't of the same race we aren't the enemy.

So today we salute and say thank you to our fallen leaders who loved us.

The mask I wear is translucent but thick

gleaming with guilty giggles and grins

To my struggles and tears and sighs they are blind

‘cause the mask loves to tell them “It’s fine, I don’t mind”

I wear the mask.

The mask I wear is agreeable

and shares not the same interests as I

For the girl who’s behind is too scared to be judged 

by the “friends” who should be unbiased.

I wear the mask.

This mask I wear can fool even me;

I don it so often, I forget to breathe!

The mask I wear is an intricate maze

I want to get out but how can I escape?

And so I wear the mask.

In the heart of Jamaica, trees sway free,

Reggae beats, sunrise smiles are a sight to see.

Our mountain stands high up above,

Our unique colors, a whisper of love.

Beautiful skies, kiss our sea,

Kingston, my home, wild and free.

Our cities surrounded by green,

Jamaica, a beautiful act to scene.

Stiff hips and music we are without,

Dancing in rhythm, a culture we are about.

We are smart and bright,

Our nature is pure and delight.

The smell of the jerk chicken through the air,

Spices and recipes a culture so rare.

Jamaica's success and accomplishments echoes the streets, 

Nostalgia of history, where memory meets.

A flag rich with identity you cannot ignore,

A destination and journey you must endure.

From jamaica to Kingston a spirit ignites,

Diversity and unity, Jamaica delight.

Every four years we gather and sing,

Full of warmth and joy a beautiful rising 

A country filled with stories untold

But a heart made of gold

Throughout struggles we rise and shine,

Ambition in our roots, through the essence of time.

In this place I call home, I continue to dream,

What would I be without this theme?

The essence of life, where my spirit lies.

From the rhythm of dancing to the crash singing my culture raise,  

Jamaica, my roots, my island, my praise.

"Even if I'm slow,

I will walk with my own feet

Because I know this path is mine to take. Even if I go back, I will reach this path eventually. I never I will never

I will never lose my dream."

The All-Stars Project gave me a chance to pursue my dreams as someone who will work with the criminal justice system as a social worker. I was allowed to create my path with the choices I made that would later take effect on what kind of future I would like to have.