But even while we compose these words, I’m mindful that this is often the sort of tale that poor, black colored and students that are latinx trained to create for university application essays. In everyday life, whilst the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar published, we “wear the mask that grins and lies” that “hides our cheeks and tones our eyes,” however when we compose these all-important essays we have been pressed — by instructors, counselors and whoever gives advice — to tug the heartstrings of upper-middle-class admissions officers that are white. “Make them cry,” we hear. And thus we pimp out our upheaval for an attempt at a future we wish but can’t completely imagine.
The nerdy, chubby kid whom geeked down to novels and cartoons didn’t pose just as much of a danger as his less bookish football teammates. But being the safe friend couldn’t protect me personally any longer than other people through the risks all over.
I’m still haunted by the memory of 1 when a group of us decided to go to the CocoWalk AMC theater for a movie night. (more…)