In this episode of Becoming with Angelina Watkins I recall the earliest incident I can remember in which started the cycle of my voice being stifled.

Salt N Pepa has a song called Express Yourself where it says,
Express yourself, you gotta be you and only you, babe
Express yourself, and let me be me

Angelina’s journey continues with recalling a moment in her life that would play a part in her desire to be able to just be herself. She states, just let me be me. And her teacher doesn’t want to let her be herself, think for herself, or speak for herself.

Our past shapes us into who we become. My past stripped me of having a voice and expressing my feelings and opinions. It starts with an educational system designed and structured to produce robotic people who do not think for themselves. We are conditioned to be followers and do what others tell us to do. The school systems pump us with a lot of knowledge, but it doesn’t teach us how to apply the knowledge. We are conditioned to think that as long as we have the knowledge we can go far. Not understanding if you don’t know how to apply the knowledge, you won’t go anywhere.

People are afraid to take a risk and bet on themselves because they are not sure they can apply what they know.

My voice began to be taken away when a teacher didn’t want to let me have my own opinion. When my opinion did not align with here thoughts, she got upset and punished me. When my parents stepped in and told me I didn’t have to fulfill the punishment, the teacher then berated me in front of the class. This would lead me to being afraid to express my feelings in fear of what others may say or do.

We have to use our voice. Not using your voice strips you of your power. I would find power in using my voice to later do as my parents would do for me and advocate on the behalf of my child who was not being talked to appropriately by a teacher.

Episode Outline
[1:53] Let Me Be Me
[3:00] Our Past Shapes Our Mindset and Behaviors
[5:38] Applied Knowledge is Power
[7:14] I Don’t Have a Voice
[7:58] Emotional Control
[9:11] Shut Up and Write the Sentences
[13:44] Father Steps In
[16:14] Show Some Empathy
[21:23] Advocate for Your Children
[22:19] You Can’t Control How Others Respond
[23:18] Closing


Where you are is not where you have to be. Your past does not define you, YOU define you.


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