Welcome to the Real World

Welcome to the real world where nobody cares about:

1. Your natural hair. In fact, if they aren't startled by it they are wondering curiously if "what you did to it" was intentional. At school, I get so caught up with hair and discussing the natural hair struggles that we deal with that I forget that the real world actually could care less.

2. Mike Brown and the situation in Ferguson. The only radio stations and news feeds I get about Ferguson are from stations and shows that are geared toward the black community. Mainstream radio shows aren't discussing these issues because they still are not considered important. Not only have we forgotten about our people, but the mainstream world has too.

3. Community. My neighbors try to sneak into their houses without being noticed as if they have something more important to do than to acknowledge that their neighbor is standing right there. I love being on campus and seeing people who are actually willing to acknowledge my existence. But in the real world...I suppose we are all just individuals making our way through life.

4. Your HBCU. The acronym means absolutely nothing to people. zero. Nada! In fact, some people do not even know that this country has institutions that serve primarily to minority students. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving institutions and others all serve specific minority groups and the country doesn't even seem to know that they exist.

5. You. It is sad but nobody cares about the pride behind your introduction when you tell them who you are. People aren't concerned with your progress or what you are doing with your life. It's sad, the people with whom we share communities don't even want to get to know one another...we just live in the same space with people for years and years never conversing or caring to.

Welcome to the real world, where the false realities of small campus living hit you so quickly that you cannot even help the slight pessimism that it brings about. I am nervous for the world after graduation. I know that I am equipped with the tools and knowledge for greatness but the world isn't as nearly as optimistic as one would hope for it to be. I guess before graduation I have to keep working to remind myself and the world that despite the negativity that the world has, positivity can only prevail if I know exactly what I am up against.