Ester’s Inspiration: My inspiration comes from my life experiences in Uganda and America. I am also inspired to change my culture and my family’s expectations for women. I entered because I wanted to tell other girls- both African and not- that there is more out there in the world than what they think or what their family and culture expect from them.  

African Girl

Every African girl grows up hearing the phrase “Is this how you will behave in your husband’s house?’’

See we’re raised being told that marriage is our destination —

But…

There are other destinations in life than just marriage

Destinations like going to college

Destinations like becoming a nurse

Destinations like getting my own house

But…

I refuse to only be someone’s wife

I refuse to depend on a man for my needs

I refuse to only give birth to babies

See…

I have a bigger plan for myself

I have plans of being in the medical field

I have plans of buying myself a house

I have plans

I have plans of buying my own car

I want to provide for myself

I have plans!

See…

I refuse to be looked down on because i am a woman

Rebecca is a very friendly person who enjoys braiding hair and cooking. She is currently in a nursing program and looks forward to working in the medical field one day. Rebecca plans to become a nurse, but she is still undecided of which area she wants to specialize in. See… I refuse to follow the path that other African girls are following So I am going to push myself to success No matter how many times they say you are wasting your time I am going to be a successful African girl I am African and I am capable of doing anything. The Seventeenth Annual Stop the Hate Award.

FreshWater is sharing six of the winning poems and essays written by local students for The Maltz Museum’s 2025 Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out and Youth Sing Out essay and poetry contest. Students created essays, poems, and songs reflecting on a quote from artist Marc Chagall.