Facebook Twitter

I am George Floyd!

Jasin Shiggs, wearing a black KIPP Academy t-shirt and khakis, standing outside smiling.

Jasin Shiggs

Courtesy photo.

This personal essay is part of the Chalkbeat Student Takeover: a weeklong project meant to elevate the voices of students at this pivotal moment in America. Read more from the takeover here.

To my future self: 

I am writing this letter to express my frustration about the things that are happening in my community today, things that I hope are no longer issues in your present. As a Black young man, I am terrified for you. You may be killed for things that a person would consider normal, but here we are today, worried about things such as jogging in public, walking to the corner store for candy, playing with a water gun, and sitting in your own house relaxing. I want to explore the world and not look over my shoulder to make sure my life isn’t in danger. 

I plan on attending college four years from now, and I want it to be an experience that I will remember. I shouldn’t be afraid of anything. The only thing I want my mother to be concerned with is if I’m keeping my grades up or how my football season is going.  

I am George Floyd! I am Ahmaud Arbery! I am Trayvon Martin! I am Tamir Rice! As a member of the Black community, I can see myself in all of these men. At any point and time this could be my family in these situations because a white person who feels as if he is privileged decides he wants to end my life.  

My life matters. 

Your life matters.  

I am someone important. I will grow into a successful adult who will make a difference in this world. 

I will do all that I can to ensure that my community is in the best hands by becoming the best me and giving back. I hope you are, too.

Jasin Shiggs originally wrote this letter to his future self as part of a school assignment in response to the recent killings of Black men and women throughout the country. He just completed eighth grade at KIPP TEAM Academy in Newark.

First Person: promote submissions
Want to share your own story?

We’re always on the lookout for compelling pieces for our First Person series. If you’re thinking about submitting a piece, here are our submission guidelines.

The Latest
In March, the Newark Board of Education filed an appeal over the state’s decision to approve North Star Academy’s charter school expansion, one of the largest charter school networks in the city with six elementary, six middle, and two high schools.
As security surveillance technology evolves in schools, experts say oversight and community discussions of its implementation should grow too.
Paula White, executive director of JerseyCAN, a statewide education advocacy organization, explains the “reading crisis” among children in New Jersey and the need for a state plan.
Five years after the Newark school system returned to local control, newly elected Board of Education members were officially sworn in at Thursday’s reorganization meeting.
Superintendent Roger León said it is not “humanly” possible to make changes to this year’s academic calendar.
Shabazz’s company, Legacy Inc., “Everybody Has One,” will continue to provide consultancy services for the Newark School of Global Studies and Malcolm X Shabazz High Schools.