The “quiet girl” in the back
Alyssa Banas,
VA.
Before I attended college, I was known as the “quiet girl” that sat in the back of the class. I loved meeting new people, but I just had a hard time communicating with people without being shy. My teachers always told me to participate in class because the ideas I wrote down on paper was considered as “intelligent.” When I reached college, I realized that I need to step out of my comfort zone. During my freshman year in college, I rushed in a sorority and was involved in plenty of clubs. Those who bump into my in college are now always saying “Wow! You used to be the quiet girl in the back of the class. What happened?” Going to ODU has definitely helped me step out of my comfort zone and allow myself to open up without people judging me.
Her black smile I fondly remember
Harry Dapron
I was a white, nerdy, shy, socially invisible teenager in senior high school. She was a beautiful, black classmate with a lovely, engaging smile that I would see when she turned around in her seat in Latin class to talk to me! I liked her and she seemed to care about and maybe even like me. However, in the 1960’s I knew that was as far as it could possibly go.
Conversations and connections change perspective
Mary Jo Nash,
Oakland, CA
The one connection we all have is that we are human.
I am lucky because when I was pretty young I was put in a group where I was the minority and I think in a small way that changed my perspective in life. I grew up in Portland, Oregon in a neighborhood that was mostly white. When the older kids went off to swim class one summer day, my neighbor took me with her to a school where she was doing some volunteer work. It turned out that I was the only white kid at this summer camp and all the other kids were black. I was a shy little kid at the time and any new situation made me a bit nervous. I felt awkward and out of place when I first arrived because I did not know any of the kids, however, we quickly started working together on an art project and I had a really good day. I don’t remember anyone talking to me about that experience in what one would call a “teachable moment” today, however, the experience stuck with me. I have found that some of my strongest connections happen when I take the time to get to know people who appear to be different than me on the outside. There are always connections to be found that lie beneath the surface if you take the time to start a conversation.
Raised by whitefolks judged by blackfolks
Lashanda Burns Carter,
Scranton, PA.
I was raised by a white family from the age 4 until 13. There were some great things and some really horrible things. But I am who I am because of the environment. Open-minded nonjudgmental, well spoken, humorous, and very shy African American. Who loves Motley Crue and hates cornbread. Black people have said u act too white or even that I want to be white. White people say I am not like other black people. This is nit a compliment. Or that I am the coolest black person ever. My own people judge me more than any other people. I don’tget it. But I don’t get a lot of things. **shrugs shoulders**”
