Many Black men and women who were labeled Schizophrenic were revolutionaries.

I find that throughout history people with my diagnosis: Schizophrenia were thinkers even revolutionaries. The diagnosis is the worse diagnosis you could get when you are diagnosed with Schizophrenia. Depression has less stigma. There is much more stigma for Schizophrenia than Depression. It’s sad but it’s true. I will not be a cashier in a grocery store. I will go for a second BA in Early Childhood Education. I will have 6 credits after this semester is over. Grades will be available in early January 2017. Being schizophrenic isn’t that bad now that I’m writing and typing a memoir, have published a chapbook of poems, have applied for the 2017 Cave Canem chapbook prize, have taken a Cave Canem poetry workshop, have published poems in the NAMI Mercer newsletter, and had a poem accepted as one of the winning entries in the 2016 NJ Wordsmith competition this passed June 2016. I am happy! I think years from now when I’m either an elderly woman or dead people will remember me. How I persevered and never gave up. How I treated people well even if people didn’t always treat me well. How I was a good Poet. How I was a good preschool teacher or whatever. People will remember me when I’m gone. At least I hope so!