At the start of this semester I challenged myself to be who I need to be in order to get the results I want out of this experience. To me, that meant that if I wanted to grow and become like the Professors I admire, and make the contribution to the lives of adolescents that I intend, then I ought to position myself to take advantage of opportunities that will support the creation of this possibility. So, instead of watching nonsense tv, I spend more time reading articles and watching lectures. I also began to take advantage of opportunities to attend events and network with other professionals.
Last Friday, I got an email that presented an opportunity to attend "a special event with representatives of the U.S. State Department and the People’s Republic of China". I received the notice at about 4:30pm, and the email suggested that we rsvp by 5:00 that evening. I did not immediately rsvp, and actually went on to do other things. A part of me decided that the opportunity did not necessarily fit into my area of interest, so I convinced myself that it might be okay if I sat this one out.
At about 4:55pm, I remembered the possibility I created for the semester; I considered that if I were to achieve the greatness that I sought, then I ought to seize opportunities to grasp as much information as possible. I thought about how the panelists at the Tavis Smiley event weren't just well versed in specialized areas, but they had a breadth of knowledge and history across disciplines and cultures. I listened to my gut (the Creator whispering in my ear) and rsvp'd. A short while later I received confirmation of my reservation.
Yesterday evening there was a buzz around campus about the First Lady, Michelle Obama, visiting Howard. When I searched the school website, it was confirmed. She'd be speaking in Cramton auditorium and those interested in attending needed to rsvp with representatives from each school or department. I immediately grew ecstatic; I knew I would be among those privileged to witness this event firsthand, because I heeded the call. At about 6:00pm, I received an email informing me that I had been selected and confirmed to attend. I immediately text my mama!
Needless to say, I couldn't sleep last night, at all. I danced in excitement all the way to my seat, and at about 10:30 this morning she walked onto the stage.
Adorning a navy blue dress with large, sparkling silver sequined accoutrements, Mrs. Michelle Lavaughn Robinson Obama gracefully walked onto the stage to a standing ovation...and I was right there, honored to be a part of it all.
Accompanied by the wife of the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, Chen Naiqing, and a panelist of students who had studied abroad in China, Mrs. Obama shared information about President Obama's initiatives to fund and support American students who study abroad in China. She also talked about what this type of partnership and exchange could mean for the future of the national and global community.
What I took from this experience, was the suggestion to expand the boundaries of my existence. Imposing national parameters on my vision for my contribution to the lives of adolescents of color builds walls around greatness; I can promote healing, love, and joy and support the creation of possibility for youth everywhere.
While writing this, I thought about a recent homework assignment for my Professional Seminar course which asked my classmates and me to write a vision statement, detailing how the world will be different by virtue of me being here. This morning my boyfriend invited me to join an affirmation call that reminded me of the power of speaking things into existence. So, in light of today's experience I will share my vision statement:
"As a product of my being here, individuals, groups, and communities all over the world will know how to listen in to the voices of adolescents, understand their needs and development, and co-create (with these adolescents) community based and international opportunities for young people to safely learn about themselves and make a contribution to the world around them.
Specifically, as a product of my current academic journey, I will make a contribution to discourse on adolescent development and provide concrete models of how individuals, communities, and the nation can invest in the lives of adolescents in ways that addresses issues of self-esteem, youth violence, and the various demonstrations of internalized oppression that manifest in this population."
My mom text me while I was in the audience that my grandparents (all now ancestors) are proud of me; I intend to make them prouder by continuing to work to make the tenets of this vision statement a reality, and then some. Right now, I declare, and own, that I am the possibility of love, commitment, scholarship, contribution, abundance, compassion, and Michelle Lavaughn Robinson Obama fierce!
Zuleka,
ReplyDeleteAnd you know what this reminds me of. The fact that you took Chinese in college at WES. It may not have meaning right now but when the Creator brings you back to an experience it you should spend time thinking about how s/he is building your life's journey in a particular direction. I am doing the work I do now not because I intentionally took this path but because the Creator kept bringing me back to experiences that had a common thread. I am just saying. It was no coincidence that you were in that particular lecture.