The following editorial is a segment from my memoirs that I plan to publish in the coming months. In this piece, I share an experience I had while in college that leads me to ponder about who I was and who do I want to be. Read and share your thoughts in the comments. Thank you
I am officially engulfed in university life, after spending the first few weeks in depression; I decided to embrace the experience by diving into over 10 to 12 student clubs, each one a portal to new connections. My pursuits transcended my personal background, joining clubs like the Student Association of Latin of America, Black Student Union, and the Muslim Women’s Society to broaden my social horizon.
Attending in various sporting events, from track meets to football games, tailgating, and later picking up a part-time role as a dorm front desk clerk, all enriched my college life. The whirlwind of experiences extended to the theater arts department, where I participated in stage plays like “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” and “Fences.” Amidst this bustling semester, I found time for part-time volunteering at the planetarium under the guidance of my Astronomy studies professor.
The catalyst for introspection came during the exploration of Alice Walker’s “The Color Purple.” Delving into the unique challenges faced by black women in post-antebellum United States, I felt compelled to pen a paper. This journey into feminist thought theory led me to ponder the untold stories of the women in my family, particularly my great-grandmother, Alice.
Her narrative unfolded against the backdrop of profound loss—losing her mother at the tender age of two, followed by her father’s demise merely three months later. In the wake of their passing, my great-grandmother was separated from her siblings, eventually becoming a servant on a sharecropping farm. The resonance of her story intensified as she was later kidnapped by neighbors, leading to years of labor, including the grim task of preparing slaughtered chickens at the age of four.
Rescue came in 1932 when her two older sisters found her, living independently at ages 13, 10, and 9. A makeshift family reunion initiated their journey, marked by resilience and determination. A fortuitous encounter with a traveling circus transformed their lives, leading them from Shreveport to Los Angeles. Becoming the “Italian dancing gals,” they toured the Chitlin Market circuit, traversing the country until settling in Portland, Oregon.
My great-grandmother’s life in Portland unfolded as she navigated relationships, heartbreak, and ultimately raising a family. Yet, this journey took a toll, prompting her to send her children to California temporarily. Reflecting on her story, I wondered about the woman she aspired to be and whether she achieved her dreams. As I stand at the crossroads of university life, on the path to becoming a lawyer and culturally diverse my experiences, I’m faced with a familiar question: What should I do when I don’t know what to do? Or who I am?
