Dear Olivia,

I moved into college about a week ago and I could not be happier…Well, that’s what I would like to say. It’s weird to not hear obnoxious laughter at all times along with a courageous, stubborn and social personality that I would like to say you got from living under the same roof as me. Since I’m no longer around anymore to tell you this myself every day, here are some things that I want you to always know deep down in your heart.

Just because you’re of the female gender does not mean that you are any less use to society than I because I am a male. In a society where a woman is deemed to a default job as a housewife, know that you are not restricted by any means to abide by that. All of America has now seen that a woman can do great things and climb the latter to success so far that they are leading a presidential race to become the leader of one of the greatest nations of all time. You can be a CEO, business woman, entrepreneur, lawyer, doctor, mother, teacher and if you do choose to be a housewife, that’s completely fine as well. Just know that you are not bound by anything to be limited by society’s standards for you because not even the sky is the limit for you.

You are black and you are beautiful. Never let anybody ever convince of anything less than that. Know that the God that we serve has placed you in the skin that you are in and that no one can say that his work is obsolete. Though schools are becoming more inclusive and classes are becoming more diverse that does not mean that you are not liable to being the only black person in one of your classes. Going to a predominantly white university, I know this more than ever to be true. Don’t feel ashamed and discouraged is you don’t see anyone who shares the same features as you. Hold yourself up and show everyone around you that you are striving to be an educated, black woman in a society that discourages you from being so. But there is also something else that you have to do. You have a responsibility to show that our race is more than just drug dealers, prisoners, and “thugs,” because we are so much more. Show society the great things that you can achieve and nothing, especially the color of your skin, will stop you from doing so. I know that my personal about being a race that was looked down upon is something that I would never want you to go through, but if you do, make sure to keep your head up and look up to all the positive examples you have around you.

Life will not always give you lemons so that you may make lemonade (insert Beyoncé reference here). Life will be hard, but know that you have a constant support system that has gotten me through every difficult time as I am positive they will do for you. Your family are the most important people in your life and they will help shape your future. Thank God every single day that you were blessed enough to land in a community where you are always uplifted and never put down. Never take for granted the family that God has given you, because it took being hours away to realize that that is exactly what I did.

Most importantly, know that if every person on this planet hates you and the world seems to have some personal vendetta against you, that I will always be on your side. I mean, I wouldn’t be the best uncle in the world if I didn’t, now would I?

Love,

Uncle Johnny