Class Day Speech -- Page 2

The truth, albeit disturbing, was this: I had found comfort in mediocrity. I had found my niche: academia. And in that one area, I excelled. And thus I had determined that at 18 I was “self-actualized.” Needless to say my mother and father knew different.

She told me I was going to Spelman because there was part of myself yet to be explored and it need not die before it even had the opportunity to be revealed.

She told me I was going to Spelman because I needed a community that would foster not only my academic but my interpersonal, psychological, professional, spiritual, and emotional development.

She told me I was going to Spelman because the very idea of me finding solace in mediocrity and a one dimensional existence was disgusting and in her household would never be tolerated. I befuddled, distraught, and without words could muster only the childish response “you’re insane.” When the truth was that I was the one trapped in a lethal type psychosis one founded in a deep and incessant fear---a fear of discomfort.

So, I came to Spelman, we came to Spelman, and had the abrupt realization that this was a completely different paradigm. We were excited, eager, and yet there was subtle discomfort. As we had entered a space that was foreign and new, a space where were not the only former class president, valedictorian, head cheerleader, concert pianist, multi-linguist, track star, and fashionista. We entered a space that forced us to admire other’s strengths as well as acknowledge our weaknesses. We were uncomfortable. And yet in this discomfort we found the possibility for growth.

Next Page