My Dearest J’Aiden,

I kept going back and forth with myself trying to decide if I wanted to write this particular letter to you, but in the end I felt it was necessary.

Over the past couple of days, hate has been on full display. What happened in Charlottesville was just the latest installment in the series and while some in power condone such blatant acts of hatred and violence, all I can do is cry. Cry because I’m tired of it all. I’m tired of having to explain to people why our lives matter. I’m tired of feeling like the world is walking on eggshells. I’m tired of turning on the news and seeing people dying because of this nonsense. With every news alert that comes across my phone, my heart breaks because all I can think to myself is:

“This is not the world I wanted you to be born into.”

I hoped by now we as a nation would be past this. I hoped you really could grow up in a nation that is united. But…here we are in 2017, more divided than ever, still having to deal with people who think you and me are second class citizens. People who judge us before getting to know us. People who…are filled with hate for us simply because we’re Black.

One of the hardest conversations your dad and I will have with you is why some people in the world hate you and want to harm you simply because of your skin. To be honest my sweet boy, I don’t know the answer to that question. And while I wish really hard that I could wrap you in my arms and protect you from it all, I know I can’t and I don’t how to accept that. As your mom, I want something better for you. You deserve to grow up in a world where you’re not discriminated against.

Maybe by the time you read this, the world won’t be filled with so much hate. Maybe instead of hating you because of the color of your skin, they will celebrate your loving spirit and the gifts God has blessed you with. Maybe when you read this, people won’t be suspicious of you because you are a black male, but rather respect you because you are a human being striving to make the world better. This is the world I hope is your reality. But if it’s not…I pray that you don’t hide your light under a bucket. Be the breath of fresh air our would so desperately needs and don’t you ever be ashamed of who you are. Don’t doubt your purpose on this Earth and never let anyone make you feel less than. Never forget Who you are and WHOSE you are.

The Lord has made you the head. NOT the tail.

J’Aiden, I pray you know how much you matter. Your life and what you do with it…it matters. While there may be things you experience that try to tear you down and crush your spirit, I hope you don’t allow yourself to be defined by them. No matter what anyone tries to tell you, you are not inferior to any man or woman walking this Earth. You my darling are a KING.

In spite of the hate the world throws at you, I pray you spread love. I pray that you don’t live in fear, but rather walk by faith. Most of all, I pray for the world you live in. That one day it will see your worth and embrace the man we raise you to be.

To sum it all up J’Aiden: You are a priceless treasure…God’s gift to us and the world. Accept it. Own it. Be proud of who you are and above all else…

Let your light shine bright sweet boy of mine…let your light shine bright.