They saw my skin
before they saw my smile.
They judged my hair
before they heard my voice.
They made me feel
like I had to shrink
just to fit into spaces
that were never built for me.
But my roots
were never meant
to be cut.
They carry stories,
strength,
and generations
who kept going
even when the world
gave them every reason not to.
I am not too much.
I am not too loud.
I am not a stereotype.
I am someone
learning to love
every part of myself
that others once tried
to make me question.
And that’s the strongest thing
I could ever become.
Kids Help Phone (KHP) is honoured to share creative content submitted by youth from coast to coast to coast as they Feel Out Loud with us. We thank the Feel Out Loud Community Creator of this piece for their contribution to youth mental health and well-being in Canada. For more information on the Feel Out Loud Community Creator Space and / or how you can submit your own creative content for possible publication, you can visit the submission page.
