As humans, we are defined by the society we live in. We live in a nation where we are systematically marginalized into serving those who fit the predefined prototype. People of my kind, the “minority”, have limits to what they are allowed to achieve and there are rules and regulations set in place to make sure things stay that way. Someone of my description(a 6’1″ tall, 190lbs, African-American male), is closely associated with a specific stereotype. The society we live in would have us associate someone with that description with not-so-positive thoughts. Hitherto, the path set by those who exist at the top for someone like me is not one that would reach the top.
Personally, this piece of art describes who I am at the core of it all. Someone who defies odds regardless of the obstacles in the way. Over the years I have faced obstacles that could have completely stopped me from achieving the goals I had set forth for myself. Whilst some may consider such experiences to be traumatic or hindering, I only see those experiences as ways to propel myself towards the top. As we stand our system is intended to make the rich richer and have those who do not fit into the prototype, serve those who are in the prototype. I do not plan to be bonded to such a system.
As someone who aspires to be a lawyer, the simple fact is that the path of law is binary. Meaning, you could either be a good lawyer or a rich lawyer. That alone speaks to the system we are living in. The path I am planning to take is one that challenges the systematic ideals set forth by those in power. Those that get to write the books of history and determine what is right or wrong. That is who I am and that is how this piece of art defines me.