Asia-Hicklen

  Wes Moore and I are very similar. I took the higher path because I know what life has to offer just like that of Wes Moore. Growing up there is always someone other than family who looks out for you and tries to ensure you are on the right path. For Wes Moore, it was a mentor but for me, it was a program. In high school, I entered the Rutgers Women Leadership program. It was a turning point in my life. Before this program, I did not take high school seriously. It was not until I saw people who cared about my future besides family that I started to take the initiative to do the right thing. This program was one of the best things that ever happened to me. The females that attended loved it just like myself. There were multiple mentors. They were all women of color at that. They were successful, which made me want to be better as a woman. I used to get into a lot of fights in high school, it was so bad I almost lost my life in one of my fights. My friends and I got jumped by about ...

 In 2019 I became pregnant with my first child. I was already grown so being pregnant was not the issue. The issue was who I was pregnant by. It was my brother's childhood friend and he does not have the best reputation. I knew breaking this news to my mother would break her heart but I could not refute the facts of what I had done. Everyone wanted me to leave him alone, to begin with. I saw the good in him that no one else did and that is why I chose to continue to deal with him. It took me a while to tell my mother because I just knew I wasn't going to hear the end of it. An abortion was out of the question. I never really saw myself having children but since we were here I decided to just go with it. I knew I was going to make a great mom so I didn't really have any doubts. It was not just about me though, the real test was if my son's father was going to be a great dad or not. Time was ticking and I knew I needed prenatal care. I did not want to do that alone so I h...

While basketball was a way out for Wes Moore and his friends others have different coping mechanisms. For me I use music, literature, and poetry to cope. Music is my way out when there is no way. What I love about music and literature is that no matter how you're feeling there is always a song and a book that describes your mood. You can relate to so many genres of music. When you actually listen to the words the song becomes a part of you. Music is electrifying and so are books. I like to read content with substance because I am all for learning new things. Something about music and books just calms my nerves and I find solace in that.  I could see how basketball is an escape, something about it must be invigorating. To step on the court and just let go, that is how I feel about music and literature. It is a way to escape real life. When we go through things sometimes all we need is an escape. I love rap but R&B is my go to, especially when I'm going through trials and tri...

  Are we products of our environment or products of our expectations? When asked this question, it gives you something to think about. I think we are products of both. Some people are products of their environment, and some are products of their expectations. My siblings and I are on two different paths. My oldest brother is a product of his environment. He is more street-savvy and well-aware of life outside of the home. I am more so a product of my expectations. I expect to live a full life with my son, so I am in school. I want something better for myself than what the hood offers. As for Wes Moore, I believe he is a product of his expectations. He was going away on a scholarship before the whole incident. The other Wes Moore is a product of his environment. He literally took the uncharted road. As Wes Moore said it starts at home but it does not end there. We grew up in a very loving home and we lacked nothing but my brother chose to live the life he lives. My youngest brother i...