That's How I Play, Yeah, That's How I Play

"All that I am, I owe to my mother." 

-Abe Lincoln

11.11.53~07.02.02

Every political part of me is tied back to the Alexander's good times, bad times, and down right ugly times. The main parts being: my belief for equal rights for all and my love for all people.

Acecily Anwar Alexander. Yup, that’s my name, and I’ve spent 21 years trying to live up to it. I’ve heard a few stories about how I got the name “Acecily,” but I’ll tell you the one I like the best. My great grandmother’s name was Cecilia, and Cecily is a form of Cecilia, and then my mom wanted me to have cool initials. Got it? My middle name, Anwar, is Arabic. My uncle converted to Islam while he was in jail- it’s okay to laugh, I just won’t tell you why he was in there ☺). It also means the brightest ray of light. Alexander, the most famous name of them all, is a story on it’s own. I was never told the meaning of my last name, just the epic tales of the people who carried it- my family.

Even without their influence on my name, my family has had a big impact on my life. My mother, Cassandra Alexander, was the youngest of 10, while growing up in Charleston SC, in the late 50’s and 60’s. In other words, the Alexander’s before me were not fond of the Caucasian race. My mother, along with 2 of my uncles, was the first African-Americans to integrate Memminger Elementary School. Growing up, if I wasn’t hearing about how the white boys would spit in my uncle’s face; I was learning how to hold a fist and yell, “Power to the black people!” Luckily, their struggle had an opposite effect on me. I wanted to know a white person. I had to figure out what made them so different. When it was time to take that big step into middle school, I decided to put my all black school options behind me, and attended a predominantly white arts school-School of the Arts.

At SOA, most of my best friends were white, and I loved it! I loved that some of them were like me, and I loved that some were completely different. Yes, them. These people that I was basically taught to not trust. But in the end, I am proud of my race for fighting for what they believed in to pave the way for me. I am proud of my family for allowing me to branch out from their traditional roles. I am proud of myself for not letting the past determine my future.

And it doesn't stop at race. Religion and sexuality are life factors that I also take seriously. No, I am not a "bible banger" or some "super lesbian," but I know what it is like to believe in something and am all about "If it makes you happy." My family has helped me to understand what it is like to have so many people go against what you want, so I don't look down on anyone's beliefs. Now, I'm NOT trying to say that I'm perfect, and that I never judge people or say ignorant things. I'm just Acecily. 

My inspiration: "For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone." 

-Audrey Hepburn

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