 Allow me to introduce myself. My name is irrelevant. I'm more than religion appearance nationality Let's go beyond the trivialities. I am my memories the worlds I explore in the books I read my losses my victories all the things that make my heart beat the men and women Who live through me in the views I choose to take and the words I choose to say the Injustice in the world that forces me to stand up and be taller louder better for those with no voice and no choice But to believe in me and the humanity that I try to see and then project and protect from our divisions This is me and these are the labels the world chooses to give me I've decided to break this illusion that people's reflection of me is who I really am So let me do this again. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lena It was conceived as my father prayed to God for a girl who is everything she aspires to be I am no longer apologetic for being the other I Am my family my father my mother and their blood that runs through my veins My heart belongs to a country. I was born in and a country I visit through my grandfather's memories. My father was a refugee and I I'm hand the law armed with a dream and Rachel Corey armed with convictions I'm an artist a writer a woman Someone who is loved and who loves I'm the entire universe if I choose to be like the stars I'm eternal in the hearts I inspire and like the possibilities of an empty canvas I Am limitless. I am endless