Читать книгу Rise Speak Change - Girls Write Now - Страница 24
ОглавлениеI wrote this piece at the beginning of my junior year when I felt as though I needed to get something off my chest. I have found that in order to speak truths powerful enough to change the world, you must first learn how to speak to yourself.
Dear Younger Assata,
You may be sad at the moment, but trust me: things will get better. Just realize now, before it’s too late, who your true friends are and who really cares. When you graduate middle school make sure that you keep in contact with Aloni, Justina, Kimberly, Hannah, Jennell, and Siyana—also, the silly group name that you made up together at that camping trip in eighth grade and the fun times at lunch. In March, someone who you’d never expect to get close to will contact you and, in a way, change your life. This person will help with a lot of issues that you go through and you learn that you two are more alike than you thought.
Once you start high school and ease into it, I guarantee that you won’t feel lonely anymore. Sometimes the people around you might irritate you, such as your “friends,” who try to guilt-trip you, or people who seem as if they think they’re above it all. However, you will meet some friends along the way who will learn to appreciate who you really are and who won’t criticize or bring you down every chance they get. Amara might get on your nerves a little bit, but she most definitely is a really great friend. You and Anjali will bond over the fact that you are Capricorns and born four days apart. Tisya is someone who helps you with your dream to write. There are a few more people who you will like and wish you could get closer to, so I recommend that you speak up more. The teachers in high school will truly care about you and your work ethic. I can assure you that you’ll grow fond of Mrs. Bhola, Mrs. Kurtzman, Ms. Stubbs, Ms. Murphy, and Mrs. E. They are all strict but yet so much fun. Some of the teachers you might grow a better relationship with than others, and you will enjoy them, despite the homework.
Now here are your seemingly bigger problems: your possible unrequited friendship with one of your best friends, and your depression. First of all, you and Katherine will grow apart because of an over-exaggerated rumor. I suggest that you talk things out with her. The things that you did to her and said about her were taken out-of-context, but you will still feel guilty and carry a heavy weight on your shoulders after the friendship is over. Stay by her side and don’t believe what other people say and you might still be friends by the time you’re my age—which will make eight years of friendship. Rajshri, your current best friend, will honestly make you doubt that she’s your best friend. She is a great person but the complete opposite of you, which makes you wonder why you two are close. Even though you two will go to separate high schools—that are across the street from each other—you will start to drift away from one another, which gives you an uneasy feeling because of your desperate need for a close friendship. Only a few of your friends will know about your depression and you will get two different reactions: sympathy or annoyance. Though some people assure you that you’ll be fine, it won’t help and you’ll start to feel worse. But once you get to actually know yourself, accept who you are, and have long, relatable conversations with Krystal, the depression will start to simmer away. It will be a great feeling and the guilt that you felt about Katherine will disappear.
So, don’t worry about anything. Just be who you truly are and you will learn to love yourself.
Love,
Assata
