This post is long overdue, but I am just accepting that I graduated and will not be returning to LFC this week like many of my friends. Better late than never..right?
1) Life's not fair.
Yes, this is a lesson that we are taught at a young age, but throughout my time in college, I have been exposed to so many inequalities. Rather than try to save the day and understand everything, I had to simply accept that life's not fair. Acknowledging this fact also empowered me to change and effect the things that I do have the power to change.
2) Always do things for yourself.
You can't please everybody and sometimes people just don't care. But if you continue to be your own motivation and trust that you are making positive decisions, in the end you will always come out on top.
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." -Eleanor Roosevelt
3) Care for others.
This one also fulfils lesson #2. When you help others, you help yourself. Also, we wouldn't be where we are if it were not for the help of many others, so why not do the same for someone else?
4)Sometimes you just need to listen.
I'm typically someone who like to listen, but then try to fix the situation (especially if it involves a friend). However, I learned that sometimes that friend just needs someone to hear the problem at hand.
Also, I tend to be the bearer of sassy comments and backtalk... also learned that there is a time and place...even if I'm right. Just listen, and let it be.
5)Know who you are. Don't apologize for being you.
This is incredibly important so that when someone else tries to tell you who you are, you are already assured in yourself of the qualities and character that you possess.
6) Fix it or shut up...
I hate complaining!! Worse than that, I hate complainers who seem to find pleasure in complaining! I don't want to hear it! *woo sah* ...I know that we all complain: about finals, professors, food in the caf, reslife, etc. Take your 5 mins of complaining and leave the rest to the universe unless you're going to do something about it. *end rant*
7) Observation to Obligation
M.K. Asante introduced the mantra observation to obligation during my senior year. If you make an observation, it becomes your obligation to do something about it. If you don't, who will? We cannot simply rely on someone else feeling so compelled to be the change that we want to see.
8) Everyone doesn't always have your best interest in mind.
Everyone isn't a nice person, and everyone doesn't always care. It's a cold world.
9) It's okay to afraid or unsure...
...still working on this one. But, I do believe that this is where a lot of my procrastination stems from.
10) Pick your battles
Sorry to say, everything is not worth fighting for... not all the time, and not at the same time.
11) Take advantage of everyday
For my last year, it was my goal to enjoy everything so that I didn't get to the last 2 weeks and try to hang out with everybody and do everything during finals. I feel like I accomplished this goal and was able to leave college with a content mindset (regardless of the realm of uncertainty that lies ahead).
12) Live without regrets
Regardless of the consequences or unforeseen nature of the decisions we make, we cannot regret them happening. What we did or what happened was exactly what we wanted at that time. This pertains to friendships, classes taken, procrastinating, nights out, things said, etc.
13) The reason people don't change is because we don't let them.
In our eyes, once someone messes up, they can almost never do anything right. We continue to expect them to fail unless they are otherwise scheming. When really, they have already moved on and are making strides towards being an even better person. Let the past be the past and look for the good in the situation. If that means living with no expectations from that person/those people, do that, take everything for face value, and keep living your life.
14) "D
15) Everything happens for a reason.
I am a true believer that I was meant to be at Lake Forest College, to be the leader that I've been, and to meet the people who I've met. Even when things seemed catastrophic, it was meant to be so that I could be the person who I am today.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
"I'm not African American..."
I was reading an article on the website colorlines.com when I came across the following comment in response:
........
I really don't have too many words in response to this, but I just wish that I could sit face to face with this individual to really evaluate how truly ridiculous they are and inquire if they know the depths of their stupidity.
...Ok, I won't say stupidity. I won't devalue any one's feelings. But, come on!
"American who has darker skin?" Where does this person believe the darker skin came from?
AFRICA! That's where!!!
I'm so tired of hearing people reject their ancestral roots in Africa. By disowning Africa, African Americans everywhere are boldly stating that slavery didn't happen. Why yes, our ancestors anxiously awaited to board the lovely cruise ships of the 1400s in search of a new world and a new life where they could rid themselves of all culture and traditions only to leave their descendants even more lost, confused, and withdrawn. That's exactly what happened.
And when that was happening purple cows were flying in Antarctica.
Ok, I'm going to chill with some of the sarcasm.
But seriously, in America we do not talk about, deal with, or accept responsibility for slavery; only one example of genocide that occurred on American soil. Because we have not dealt with our disturbing past, a whole population of people is left making comments and embracing mentalities that detach them from the little bit of culture that African Americans can identify with. Yes, it's the whole continent (because Africa isn't a country), but it's as close as many of us will ever get to knowing where our people, our ancestors, our families come from.
It's just really sad that many choose to neglect the past. I don't understand why so many African Americans even choose to whole heartedly embrace a country (U.S.) that doesn't accept or support the little culture and presence that we have created for ourselves this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I believe that we can only claim to be American by place of birth, but this place that we call home, that we blindly cling to as our full identity, treats us like the ugly ducklings. Yes there are benefits to being American and there have been many examples of cultural acceptance. Yet, even in the age of a Black/ African American/bi-racial President, the way that the media portrays African Americans tends to be less than desirable.
As for me, I'm African American. I will never denounce the struggle of my ancestors and the glorious pride of the queens and kings unwillingly dethroned to build this country without any gratitude or even an apology. When America won't accept me, my skin says that the golden sun of Africa will.
...but what do I know?
Find this and other culturally focused posts at the http://www.lakeforest.edu/live/news/1773-welcome-to-the-intercultural-life-blog
"PS I'm black- not African American, just an American who has darker skin."....
........
I really don't have too many words in response to this, but I just wish that I could sit face to face with this individual to really evaluate how truly ridiculous they are and inquire if they know the depths of their stupidity.
...Ok, I won't say stupidity. I won't devalue any one's feelings. But, come on!
"American who has darker skin?" Where does this person believe the darker skin came from?
AFRICA! That's where!!!
I'm so tired of hearing people reject their ancestral roots in Africa. By disowning Africa, African Americans everywhere are boldly stating that slavery didn't happen. Why yes, our ancestors anxiously awaited to board the lovely cruise ships of the 1400s in search of a new world and a new life where they could rid themselves of all culture and traditions only to leave their descendants even more lost, confused, and withdrawn. That's exactly what happened.
And when that was happening purple cows were flying in Antarctica.
Ok, I'm going to chill with some of the sarcasm.
But seriously, in America we do not talk about, deal with, or accept responsibility for slavery; only one example of genocide that occurred on American soil. Because we have not dealt with our disturbing past, a whole population of people is left making comments and embracing mentalities that detach them from the little bit of culture that African Americans can identify with. Yes, it's the whole continent (because Africa isn't a country), but it's as close as many of us will ever get to knowing where our people, our ancestors, our families come from.
It's just really sad that many choose to neglect the past. I don't understand why so many African Americans even choose to whole heartedly embrace a country (U.S.) that doesn't accept or support the little culture and presence that we have created for ourselves this side of the Atlantic Ocean. I believe that we can only claim to be American by place of birth, but this place that we call home, that we blindly cling to as our full identity, treats us like the ugly ducklings. Yes there are benefits to being American and there have been many examples of cultural acceptance. Yet, even in the age of a Black/ African American/bi-racial President, the way that the media portrays African Americans tends to be less than desirable.
As for me, I'm African American. I will never denounce the struggle of my ancestors and the glorious pride of the queens and kings unwillingly dethroned to build this country without any gratitude or even an apology. When America won't accept me, my skin says that the golden sun of Africa will.
...but what do I know?
Find this and other culturally focused posts at the http://www.lakeforest.edu/live/news/1773-welcome-to-the-intercultural-life-blog
Thursday, January 12, 2012
God > Religion
During my college years, one thing that I've learned is that it is not about what religion you claim, but about your personal relationship with God. One of my facebook friends posted this video of a spoken word piece explaining this perspective very well. Enjoy!
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