Comments please on my DS Forum

[coocoonuts]

I also have a PS I would like comment on as well


Diversity Statement

I sat in my seat with my knee shaking uncontrollably just waiting for her to finish. I had so many things that I wanted to say. I was about to share my feelings with a complete stranger. During my freshman year, I had the opportunity to meet author Rebecca Walker. She had just finished a speaking engagement about one of her books. She was going to autographs books after her talk and I was ready to meet her. By the time I reached the table, there were only a few people left in the room, me, Walker, and a friend of hers. I stood at the table, took a deep breath, and then I began to let myself go. I told this woman who I had only gotten to know through her writing all about myself. I began telling her things that I never shared with anyone before such as my feelings for being a token in my predominantly white high school and feeling like an alien in my town.

I told her about being a boy moving from xxxx living to xxx xxx, a small city in xxxx, in the white part of town. xxxx xxxx can still be considered a “southern” city complete with everything one could expect. My parents who were still learning English had to learn a new dialect. I myself often had trouble deciphering the language. I went on to describe my disappointing people for not being black enough or speaking too white. I felt a sense of relief sharing this with her, a connection that I had with her from reading her book in which she described situations similar to mine.

I had a few identities to juggle and adapt to; white, African American, Haitian, southern rural, and northern urban. I cannot dance, I am short, I do not have a southern accent and I listen to all types of music. The list goes on and on. I do not fit any particular mold and I am unique. Juggling and experiencing these different worlds has exposed me to all types of viewpoints on a variety of issues. I can understand many perspectives. I also know how to adapt to new environments and situations. My experience has also taught me how to work with others. I still keep a copy of Walker’s book on my bedroom dresser. It serves as a reminder of my individuality and my past.