For Little Girls Who Have Considered Giving Up

When it seems like the odds are never in your favor. Or when you don't see enough positive images of people like you, you want to give up. Throw in the towel. Call it quits. I get it. You have these big dreams of being somebody and making a difference, but others around tell you to be more realistic. How could someone like you looking like you do and being from where you are ever amount to anything? It's a mixture of ghetto and small town mentality. Because of your socio-economic and racial make-up, you aren't going to be anything more than what you see around you. That's as good as it gets and there's nothing wrong with that. Well, the devil is a lie. Need proof? Look no further than Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o.

Her meteoric rise has been something legends are made of. After Lupita's loss at the Golden Globes, I had a gut feeling that this defeat wouldn't stop her. She's landed a Miu Miu campaign, graced the cover of tons of magazines, and become a celebrated fashion icon. This Kenyan beauty has racked up numerous accolades including Best Supporting Actress at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Independent Spirit Awards. Her speech at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon was breathtaking, giving honor to all those black actressed who paved the way for her. Then her huge moment of triumph came last Sunday night at the Academy Awards when Lupita took home an Oscar for her work in '12 Years a Slave'. Her acceptance speech was powerful and tearjerking.


Lupita along with countless other women of color are making a way for you, for all of us. Casting directors and magazine editors are using her beauty as an example of what they want for upcoming roles and editorials. In the years to come there will be more gorgeous and uplifting images of women like us out there for little girls to see. And no one will be able to tell you that you can't make it because you're too this, too that, or not enough of whatever. Forget the steteotyopes and be the prototype for success. Thanks for the inspiration, Lupita.