My name is Amari Putney-Blanton I was born on October 31st, 1992 in Seattle,

Washington. I identify as African-American or black, a majority of my DNA make-up is

African-American. My mother is Black, White and Native-American my father is Black and

Native-American. Throughout most of my childhood I lived in a middle class single parent

household. I have 6 siblings, 5 sisters and one brother I am the oldest of them all. I share the

same father with my sisters and the same mother as my brother. I grew up with all the basic

necessities food, shelter and clothes. We had enough to be able to splurge a little here and there.

Living and growing up as a black male has lead me to see the racism and oppression this

world holds towards my culture. Police officers are killing, harassing and arresting African

American males throughout the entire country for crimes they have not committed. I’ve had a

first-hand experienced with this. I was harassed and yanked out of my cousin’s car in response to

fitting a description of a black man with dread locs who was armed and dangerous. The car was

swarmed by eight swat cars and I was nearly thrown in cuffs and taken to jail until one officer

gave a command to let me go. The officers left in a hurry and gave no explanation as to why. I

was left feeling emotionally damaged. I am reminded of this incident when I turn on the news or

scroll through social media sites. I could’ve been on the front cover of Seattle Times.

I have seen on various occasions Experiencing this will allow me to counsel students in a diverse

way. I will use my past experiences with racism and oppression as a tool to connect, assist and

promote the mindsets and foundation to break down the doors of racism and oppression within

this world.