I am exceptional

I woke up this morning agitated thinking about all the ways that I make myself smaller, unobtrusive, quiet and let my accomplishments get diluted to be team victories. I’ve made those concessions in my private and my professional life for as long as I can remember. My parents wanted to confine me to their definition of being a girl. My teachers and counselors wanted to confine me to their definition of being Black. My supervisors and managers have wanted to confine me to their definition of subordinate. My husband wants to confine me to his definition of wife.

The thing is, however, I am exceptional. And I always have been.