“Moments Either Define or Contribute to Who You Are" is a story about not allowing the life’s mishaps to define one's outcomes. Each of the characters represents different struggles inner-city young men may face as they pursue "making it." Trouble’s story is about a young man who struggles to succeed in education while grappling with a learning disability. Hazel learns to define success outside of the indicators set before him by community norms. Homes learns to see the beauty and humanity in the toughest of life situations. While lastly, Casper’s story is about learning to finds his voice and no longer being silenced. Collectively these characters have to decide whether they will allow their moments to define or contribute to who they are.

While growing up, I received many messages regarding what "we" don't do (e.g., scuba dive, fly planes, feed baby tigers, zipline through the forest, etc.). These messages always left me questioning why "we" were limited in how we could experience the world. Often, when I asked those around me what their logic was, I was greeted with the following response: "They Say We Don't." "They” referring to some person or people no one could identify, but whose messaging rang clear that people like me belong in a box.

This book, "They Say We Don't," pushes back against the notion that "we" should be limited in any way. "We" don't have to move with the  crowd, follow the rules that they have laid out for us, or restrict our imaginations. There is power in thinking BIG. If you think it and believe it, you can ACHIEVE IT.   

While growing up, I received many messages regarding what "we" don't do (e.g., scuba dive, fly planes, feed baby tigers, zipline through the forest, etc.). These messages always left me questioning why "we" were limited in how we could experience the world. Often, when I asked those around me what their logic was, I was greeted with the following response: "They Say We Don't." "They” referring to some person or people no one could identify, but whose messaging rang clear that people like me belong in a box.

This book, "They Say We Don't," pushes back against the notion that "we" should be limited in any way. "We" don't have to move with the  crowd, follow the rules that they have laid out for us, or restrict our imaginations. There is power in thinking BIG. If you think it and believe it, you can ACHIEVE IT.