“People get pigeonholed on the basis of race. I live in north Memphis in a community that is almost all African-American, and no offense, but when I go to the suburbs, people look at me like I’m dangerous. There’s more to black people than just violence. Don’t stereotype us. I like having friends of different races; that’s how we learn from each other. My French II teacher is from Africa, so I’m getting to learn more about other cultures and I like that. It’s fun. I hope race relations get better in Memphis, but to be honest with you, I don’t think it’s looking too bright. There are places for teens like Cloud901, but right down the street you have gangs and people who are gang-affiliated. That kind of peer pressure can be deadly. For a lot of us, it feels like sports like volleyball and basketball are our only way out. To make it out, you have to be motivated and you have to know you can do it.”
Chitara performed this piece for the Cloud901 Art Show on March 19, 2016:
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