I hope you always know your own worth, even when you are surrounded by images and voices that may make you doubt yourself.

I hope you always show respect to others, even when they may not show it to you.

I hope you are never complacent in the face of injustice and indignation.

I hope you maintain faith and hope in the face of hopelessness.

I hope you lean on each other to make sense of the senseless.

I hope that when the tear gas settles, you recognize there is still much to be done.

I hope you challenge those you encounter to reassess their beliefs.

I hope you never shy away from what seem like insurmountable obstacles.

I hope you build a city that you can be proud of.

I hope you build a city that is proud of you.

November 2014