RSSWalking the Stage
Although I have already received my degree via mail four months ago, I recently flew back home to participate in my graduation ceremony. My participation was not voluntary; instead, my family who felt that the ceremony was essential to my graduating experience and their memories mandated it. In retrospect, they were absolutely right!
Anticipation and anxiety were the words that most appropriately fit my graduation day. I was ill prepared and extremely nervous. I feared that some unfortunate event would happen; I would trip and fall as I walked onto the stage to receive my degree. The unsettled emotion in my chest was not just a fear of falling it was something far greater.
My graduation ceremony made me realize that I was ending one chapter in my life and starting another. I was leaving behind the school that I had attended for four long and grueling years. I was leaving the school I entered as a teenager and left as an adult. I was leaving the school that taught me so much about who I am, the school where I made some of my closest friendships and the school who’s politically engaged and rebellious activities furthered my interest Political Science. I realized that I could not be who I am today without that institution!
Following my realization was thoughts of “what’s next?” The keynote speakers at my graduation urged the students to take a progressive stance within political science and to be the change that we desired to see. I had to agree, not just because this nation is going to hell on an express train. But I agree for my friends and family. I was the first grandchild on my dad’s side (my black side) to graduate from college. And I was the only one of my high school/ neighborhood friends to have graduated thus far. I felt that my accomplishment inspired many of my friends and family to get their act together. It felt good too. Not because I felt better than them for doing it first, but rather to show them that if I can do it so can they, and probably better.
The ceremony also increased my sense of responsibility. One of the speakers at Black Grad stated, “Graduates! You deserve to get paid!(Immediate uproar in applause from graduates) Get paid! But don’t get bought!” His words rippled through me like sound waves. He reinforced my notions that the minimal success, which I have acquired, must be used for good and not evil. I have to use this degree to uplift minority communities because I am a minority and a product of that community.
I have to give back. I cannot, will not, look down on others who are less fortunate. I know in my heart there were so times I could have veered off the path of graduating. If it wasn’t for individuals who decided to take the high road instead of the well-paid road, I could have been in jail, strung out or dead. And I say that because I was a wild child at one point in my life.
According to The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, “The Black student college graduation rate remains at a dismally low 43 percent.” Less than half of Black college students make it to graduation day— and I can believe it too. At my department graduation ceremony, there was only a measly five Black graduates at a ceremony of about 150 graduates. I know that my class had few Black students, however there were more than five Black students expected to graduate in my year.
I just want more than anything for more minority students to feel empowered as I did on my graduation day, tasting the success of earning something that no one can take away from them. Is it too much to ask to feel the urge to make a difference with a tool so valuable in this society? Is that a far-fetched dream?
So, I have made a graduation resolution, which is to never be bought! I will sacrifice the chance to have a house on MTV cribs if it means more educated minority youth!
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
Talisman
And you looked good graduating too. I, too, am saddened by the dismally low amount of black and minority college graduates. Living on the west coast, the black population is definitely in the minority, compared to the eastern and southern regions of the United States (but you know this, SB). Five young black graduates walking that stage did my heart proud but thinking about it afterwards gave me pause.
We have a good number of black students attending college these days but current economic times are working to put that dream of graduation out of reach for prospective students and their parents; parents who generally want their children to succeed and advance to that next economic and social level. What does it say for our “Great Society” if the people who need that opportunity the most are denied it, by making it economically unattainable and socially “impossible”?
[Reply]
"A Mom"
SB
I glad you participated for your family. My son didn’t attend his graduation because he wanted to be home to attend his sister’s high school graduation. If it wasn’t for that I would have wanted him to participate. This is a special day especially for minority young people. A long time ago it was not even a thought. Even now it’s hard, but those who get that chance go for it. As a parent I am so proud for all of you.
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Malia
Congratulations SB!!!! Yes, you chose wisely: unlike many of your peers, you have taken the hard route. That route does not admit of instant gratification. You have had to apply yourself, consistently, over a period of time, to structured learning; and you have succeeded!!! Be very proud of yourself!
[Reply]
Nicole
Yeah Girl I was so proud of you
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T-Brown
I toally agree in sacrificing now for a brighter future for the greater minority population. Every day I go to work and earn scraps for wages, I keep in mind that the young people I seek to empower will one day be responsible for leading the world. So I must sacrifice my own selfishness in order to see the change in others I wish to see in the world, which is… EDUCATED minorities who can develop their OWN institutions- schools, political parties etc.- with our own norms and expectations. For example, I would LOVE to walk into work and be able to comfortable speak EBONICS to my manager without worrying if I am offending anyone or being unprofessional by speaking BLACK ENGLISH! Like the famous Dr. once said… “I HAVE A DREAM”
[Reply]
Q.
i’ll take the crib over the babies!!
nah, seriously, this post takes me back.. the proudest moment of my life was my college graduation.. the baby and the first of the family.. that’s what i think about when i think back on my graduation.. my sister and brother graduated with me, because they paved the way.. that’s how i looked at it.. i’m not sure about other schools, but they allowed us to purchase additional degree certificates.. you could make it out to people and thank them for making it happen for them.. i got 11 of them.. gave them to my family.. we all graduated that day.. that’s what i remember..
i feel the speaker on being bought.. completely.. congrats, SB.. congrats..
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"A Mom"
You know who paved the way for my generation and my children?
My mom she went to State college back in the day when people of her time didn’t go to college, especially a black women. She went to San Francisco State long before it became State University. She went to a all girls High School and graduated early and went to college in the 1940’s.
We must all pave the way.
[Reply]
Icy Mike
Hey, sorry I didn’t see you as much as I’d liked SB. Kinda lame on my part, but come back to the Bay and hit me up when you’re back.
CONGRATS!
[Reply]
Troublsome
First off SB, I would like to say congrats! Whenever you accomplish anything and reach that next milestone in life. It is always a beautiful thing… At my college graduation 3 years ago, I just remember the feeling that I was feeling to be nothing! There was no excitement on my part; it was no big deal… Granted, I was the first in my family to go to college and graduate, but not for a second in my life did I not think that it couldn’t happen.
I was talking with Troublman last night and we were talking about the importance of taking all the knowledge and resources that you gained during your college experience, and how to transfer that to your new life. What good is it to say you have a degree, which you can’t completely utilize? Just because you have a degree or two, that doesn’t make better than the next man.
Remember School will teach you how to do specific tasks. It’s up to you to figure out why?
SB- You did it! Be proud, stand tall, and continue to prosper in the most vigorous ways possible…
[Reply]
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