Stephanie S Young
Stories (4/0)
The Diaspora in Me
In this day and age we are consumed by how we identify, are you black or white … where were you from? I sat thinking back and forth about how to put this all into words and realized how much there actually is to write. On a census form, I identify as an African American. But what does that really mean? I know I have descendants going back many, many generations that originated from Africa, but I don't have any customs from that continent that were passed down or any traditions that I celebrate. (Well, Kwanzaa, was the closest. But that is still an African-American based celebration). But does that change who I am - a black woman. As a U.S. citizen, we are forced to identify in one box or another, yet many of us can check multiple boxes. Why do we put ourselves in a box? I don't know if I have the answer to that or ever will but one thing I do know:
By Stephanie S Young4 years ago in Humans
Navigating Life Away from Home: First Year College Students
You are a college freshman, 18 years old (or even 17, like I was!). Away from home. No parents around. A roommate (or roommates, if you are in a triple) with unknown living habits. Questions running through your head: does he or she snore? Will we be the odd couple—one messy, one clean? Will this room still look and smell fresh by October? Is she a chipper morning person to my slow-rising, “I need coffee before I speak,” mood? How much laundry detergent do I put in the machine? I have to wake up on my own?!
By Stephanie S Young5 years ago in Education
Portfolio Careers
What do you want to be when you grow up was the question that my generation (1970s/80s babies) was asked. Do you want to be a teacher, doctor, firefighter, or even a dancer (By the way, I was obsessed with the TV series Fame and Debbie Allen!)?
By Stephanie S Young5 years ago in Journal