I Am Becoming...More Astute

I got the ticket, the jaywalking ticket. Because I didn't cross the street fast enough, a residential street right behind my school. I was walking with Brandon and Ronnie home after school and we were crossing the street diagonally. Apparently, it took me, only me, too long to get across the street. I think I took too long because of the two "onlies" I possessed. I was the only one that got a ticket, and I was the only black kid. As a person of color, you are never really and truly prepared for the realization that the country you live in doesn't necessarily have your best interests in mind, nor has it ever. But there's a long list of people who came before you that fought to give you a better life. Then there's the point that you realize you're supposed to be on that list.