Maryclare Yesterday vs. Maryclare Today

MARYCLARE CHINEDO

Generation F stands for Finally. I finally speak my mind and can be unapologetically me. This piece is about my finally being straight with myself and reflecting on who I was versus who I am now.

Maryclare Yesterday

Maryclare Today

Shy and passive

Funny and full of life

I hate putting my ideas out there. They’re horrible!

Yes, you are speaking to a 2018 Gold Key winner. Holla!

I’m not good at anything but watching Netflix

Class of 2018 valedictorian baby! Talk to me nicely.

Is that something out of my comfort zone? Yea . . . I’ll pass

Wow. What’s that strange cool thing? I wanna do it!

Uhm . . . I think I’m okay with only speaking English.

Yo no hablo ingles! Lo siento, chica

If my mom wants me to be a doctor, so be it.

Girl, you know I love dance. Minoring in dance it is!

Should I enroll in AP Spanish? Nah. It’s too challenging

Yea, I’m with you on that one. Let’s take AP Calc instead

I’m not African. I’m, uhm . . . Native American and Latina

Girl, please! You’re Nigerian all the way, baby!

Is that a protest about women’s rights? I’ll just walk past.

“Pro Choice! My Body!” Oops, am I protesting too loud?

Before I do anything, I have to think of the What-Ifs

No you don’t. Be a free spirit! Stop being so paranoid!

I need to delete my Netflix account. It’s distracting

Should I get Hulu and HBO Go? Eh, the more the merrier!

Maryclare Yesterday

Maryclare Today

Shy and passive

Funny and full of life