kerry2654
Oct 22, 2015
Undergraduate / "Terps are diverse" University of Maryland-College Park/Diversity Essay/Outsider [5]
This is just a draft of the main ideas I want to talk about since I'm stuck on how to approach things next. Thank you in advance!
University of Maryland - College Park
Word Count: 457
Terps are diverse. They bring intellectual, social and cultural differences to our community. Describe the different parts of you which will contribute to our diverse campus community (500 words)
I am not the model Congolese daughter. Never perfect in my domestic duties. Social views more liberal than conservative. Interpretation of Christianity contradicts my learning. My parents informed me that these ideals weren't a pleasant reflection on their parenting. Both in our culture and their positions as pastors, image is everything. I was pressured to succumb to their traditional values. It seemed as if I was living a double life, one for my parents and the other for myself. This internal conflict made me miserable as I fought to be my own person on a daily basis.
I am not seen as black. My playlist consists of top 40 radio. I read for pleasure often. The majority of my speech isn't African-American Vernacular English. Growing up in a gifted program as the only black girl had consequences; transitioning to a middle school as one of many, I stuck out through my style, mannerisms, and interests. To others, I was an "Oreo", a black person seen as white. It was a foreign concept as I believed that appearance was the only qualification for blackness. Either way, I denied my blackness as I claimed that I was African and not black.
I spent my adolescence feeling displaced until my sophomore year. My African-American History teacher educated us beyond the curriculum about race and social issues. Educating myself further on these issues was the first step to defining my individuality. I learned how to assert myself through new passion in my beliefs. By rejecting racial stereotypes, I embraced my African heritage and Black-American identity.
Now, I incorporate my Congolese values of identity and maturity with an open mindset that allows me to accept individuality. Being a part of multiple communities allowed me to recognize and respect other cultures.
This is important because my initiative would allow me to broadcast acceptance at the University of Maryland-College Park. My plan during my undergraduate years is to to implement programs on campus that recognizes and projects marginalized groups' opinions and belief. I will accomplish such through a Rise Above grant and the Diversity Advisory Council. I know the experience of exclusion, and I will make it my goal to further inclusion at school. Also, I confidently express myself and my beliefs, a trait not everyone possesses, and I'll help others do so.
This is just a draft of the main ideas I want to talk about since I'm stuck on how to approach things next. Thank you in advance!
University of Maryland - College Park
Word Count: 457
Terps are diverse. They bring intellectual, social and cultural differences to our community. Describe the different parts of you which will contribute to our diverse campus community (500 words)
I am not the model Congolese daughter. Never perfect in my domestic duties. Social views more liberal than conservative. Interpretation of Christianity contradicts my learning. My parents informed me that these ideals weren't a pleasant reflection on their parenting. Both in our culture and their positions as pastors, image is everything. I was pressured to succumb to their traditional values. It seemed as if I was living a double life, one for my parents and the other for myself. This internal conflict made me miserable as I fought to be my own person on a daily basis.
I am not seen as black. My playlist consists of top 40 radio. I read for pleasure often. The majority of my speech isn't African-American Vernacular English. Growing up in a gifted program as the only black girl had consequences; transitioning to a middle school as one of many, I stuck out through my style, mannerisms, and interests. To others, I was an "Oreo", a black person seen as white. It was a foreign concept as I believed that appearance was the only qualification for blackness. Either way, I denied my blackness as I claimed that I was African and not black.
I spent my adolescence feeling displaced until my sophomore year. My African-American History teacher educated us beyond the curriculum about race and social issues. Educating myself further on these issues was the first step to defining my individuality. I learned how to assert myself through new passion in my beliefs. By rejecting racial stereotypes, I embraced my African heritage and Black-American identity.
Now, I incorporate my Congolese values of identity and maturity with an open mindset that allows me to accept individuality. Being a part of multiple communities allowed me to recognize and respect other cultures.
This is important because my initiative would allow me to broadcast acceptance at the University of Maryland-College Park. My plan during my undergraduate years is to to implement programs on campus that recognizes and projects marginalized groups' opinions and belief. I will accomplish such through a Rise Above grant and the Diversity Advisory Council. I know the experience of exclusion, and I will make it my goal to further inclusion at school. Also, I confidently express myself and my beliefs, a trait not everyone possesses, and I'll help others do so.
