Throughout the tragedies and the anger which seem to have become a daily occurrence as someone living in America, there has to be some silver lining to the suffering of the minority. Despite our struggles, there are moments of joy, of graciousness to be found in the movement we are fighting together. Positive energy is key to keeping ourselves healthy and happy. Being and staying woke can be taxing on our minds, our bodies, and our emotions. It is that glimmer of hope that keeps us fighting, that keeps me fighting for a world better than the one we are currently living in. For the efforts of people of color of the present, past, and future, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for educating others in our struggle and for being so eloquent with your words. It is your vigilance and your outspokenness which truly make our movement stronger. When you let someone know what they are doing is wrong and inform them of how to correct their behavior, it sets a model for others to follow. Education is the cure to ignorance and while not all are willing to accept it, it is the knowledge that we provided them with our information and experience which can end any discussion.

Thank you for being cutting-edge, trendsetting, and innovative, even in a society where your efforts may not be recognized in all of their glory. We live in a society where "Damn Daniel" received more awards for creativity and influence than those who coined the Whip, Nae Nae, and the entire vernacular of the modern generation. Know that we are working toward a world of equal opportunity and recognition, but thank you for refusing to stop making waves in society.

Thank you for sharing your culture and being willing to invite others into your culture. This goes to those who wore their saris while taking their children to school, who make a statement with their natural hair, and to those who proudly blast the music of their culture. Even in the face of cultural appropriation and the potential of others ignorantly mocking a culture different than their own, thank you for the pride that you display in being who you are.

Thank you for loving yourself, even if society tells you that you are not. You are beautiful, you are intelligent, you are talented, and for people of color, these are qualities we often have to realize and cherish ourselves. Even if we are not represented in the media, by our politicians, or even in our local communities, we will have to continue to work toward being recognized. The only way to escape being swept under the rug is by raising our voices, not individually but as a synchronized chorus.

Thank you for continuing to strive a better society than the one we live in now. It is the knowledge that we all stand together in this fight toward equality that makes it more manageable for us. Individually, each of us suffer from different struggles. However, when we gather together based on our similarities, that is when we are truly powerful.