There is no question in today's day and time from the media coverage that our perception of someone can be formed or changed in a few minutes. While we know that it is unfair to do that to people we see on television or in the media, why do we allow that to happen to us? In Malkia's new release, she talks about why we allow others to dictate how we are perceived. In a time in our lives when we need to be strong and project the person we truly are, we change our thinking and the way we act to meet others expectations or thoughts. In the song, Princess and Queens, Malkia reminds us that women especially need to be happy to follow their own path of what they believe is best for them and not change just to please a few temporary friends. This theme is continued in the song, Persevere where she reminds us that what we put into ourselves is what we get. Acting as others want us to does not help us reach our true potential or goals. Malkia does bring up in Sticks and Stones that while we are all vulnerable, some criticism may have some value in keeping us from going down the wrong path but it is up to us to decide what is best for us. Malkia's CD is a call to action for all of us to really look and see where we are in our lives. Our full potential and promise is within us, we have to remember that we are the ones in charge of bringing it out!