L-O-V-E

     Today I witnessed something that restored a little bit of my faith in humanity. Outside the Sherrod library at East Tennessee State University, there was a “Black Lives Matter” demonstration. This may not seem out of the ordinary, especially considering the large amounts of protests that have been broadcasted on a national scale as of late, but this protest was different.

I will begin with a little bit of a background information. Yesterday, during a “Black Lives Matter” demonstration much like this one, a young male student had the audacity to wear a gorilla mask, dangle bananas in front of the small group of protesters, and make obscene remarks and gestures towards them. These protesters did nothing to give him reason to do the things he did. They were simply standing in a circle around the fountain with signs that said “Black Lives Matter”. It was a silent protest, they were simply standing up for what they believe is right and they were doing so in an extremely peaceful manner. I, personally, cannot understand why someone would feel the need to put forth so much hate on another group of people, especially when they have done nothing to warrant such behavior. The hateful student was taken away and has been charged, however, that does not erase the hurt his actions brought upon others. It was decided that there would be another protest today at the same time and in the same place. And this is where the story takes an amazing turn.

As I was walking back from my early morning class, I noticed a substantial number of people grouped together in front of the library. The small group from the day before had quadrupled in size. There were students and faculty from every race and gender linked arm and arm holding signs. These signs said things like “Black Lives Matter ≠ All Lives Don’t,” “Spread Love,” “Be Love,” and “Is her life more important than mine?”. There was also a large sign that said, “We Can Overcome.” Others were holding mirrors, and several clubs from around campus were holding signs that said “This Club Stands with Black Lives Matter.” No one was being offensive or hateful. Everyone was just showing support and love to fellow students and faculty. There were no racial boundaries, and no words of hate. It was beautiful.

With all of the bad publicity regarding the “Black Lives Matter” movement, I think that instances such as this should be shared on a wider scale. No one is born with prejudices, it is learned, and the only way to stop it is if groups of brave people stand up for what is right, like they did today. Especially with all of the violence that has transpired in places such as Charlotte recently, I think that people, in general, need to be reminded what truly started this movement to begin with and what it truly means to support it. Unfortunately, there are bad people out there, and they can be found in every size, shape, age, race, and gender. However, fighting violence with violence gets us nowhere, especially not any closer to a solution. Every person was created in God’s image exactly how He wants them to be, and He does not make mistakes. Everyone has a purpose and a place on this earth and no one has the right to take away anyone else’s right to a happy and healthy life. No matter where we come from or what we look like, we are still people.

In conclusion, what I am trying to say is that if we want things to change, we cannot just stand back and watch anymore. Protests like the one today are perfect examples of how different people can peacefully unite to create a better future. Today I am so very proud to be an ETSU Buccaneer.

Romans 13:10 “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.”

Potluck

College is a time for big changes, and for many, you are leaving behind friends, family, and everything you knew as familiar. Stress happens to everyone and if you feel like you are alone, it can make the stressful situation seem even more taxing, therefore, I think that finding a group of like-minded people that you can connect with on more than just a cordial level is imperative for your success throughout school, and especially your overall happiness.

     For me personally, I have been lucky enough to become a member of the University Honors Scholars at ETSU. This group of people have become more than just friends; we have become a little family on campus. This is not just through my own designated class, but also with those who have come before us. We, as a whole, have created a sort of support system, that I think many of us were not sure we would find on a medium-larger size campus such as ETSU. We realize that we are all in the same boat and can rely on one another. Knowing that there are others who feel the same way you do, takes away some of the ever-present stress.

     Within the Honors College there are several opportunities, and even classes where all three sections (University Honors, Midway Honors, and Fine and Performing Arts Honors) can come together. For example, for our Colloquium class, we recently had a potluck picnic. It brought all sections of honors and all honors generations together to enjoy good food and good company. Each group brought a different food item. There was everything from pizza, macaroni salad, and quesadillas to brownies, cookies, and cheesecake. The large variety of foods, in a way, mimicked our all being there together. We have come from different places and from different walks of life, however we all fit together. For example, the picture above is of myself, my “Big” Hannah, and my “Grand-big” Lindsey. We decided to take a “generation picture” while at the potluck. These girls have become like older sisters to me through Honors, and are always able to help me out and answer my questions when I need them.

     All in all, without this wonderfully mismatched group of people, I would be lost. I could not imagine starting this new journey in my life without all of them and the amazing “potluck” we create.

What I Brought From Home

    Packing for and moving into a college dorm for the first time can be stressful. You feel overcome by new surroundings, new people, and new responsibilities. Even in the days preceding your first class, you are already stressed out about getting books/supplies, financial aid, and finding your way around campus. Every aspect seems to be so different from anything you have been exposed to in the past. This is the first time that you are stepping out on your own, away from many people that you have seen and talked to on a daily basis for most of your life, and it can be hard to cope with all of the excitement, fear, and nervousness that accompanies the start of this new adventure on your own.

     So how does one cope with these new found circumstances you may ask? Of course getting involved in groups and organizations on campus helps, along with initiating conversations and forming friendships with others in your classes and residence halls. However, one of the best ways for most to manage all of the “newness” is to remember where you came from and hold onto something from back home. Everyone has that one item, whether it be a physical object or a relationship/quality from back home, that they could not let themselves forget to bring. In my case, I brought pictures.

     I have always loved taking pictures. To me, they are a way of freezing that one specific moment in a way that you can keep with you forever. Most of the pictures that I brought with me are of my family, or times that I have spent with them. There are pictures of my great-grandparents who have all now passed away. There are pictures of my grandmother and grandfather from when they first got married almost 50 years ago. There are pictures of me and my crazy cousins making silly faces and playing with each other on the trampoline in my uncle’s backyard. There are pictures of my uncle and aunt from when they had just started dating in high school, and from every Christmas Eve when my uncle reads us the Nativity story from the Bible. There are pictures of my little brother with his sneaky, popsicle grins and our random “selfies” in the car. There are pictures of my mom and I from a picture booth at the mall when I was really little with the caption “Best Friends” written underneath. There are too many pictures to count and each hold a special place in my heart.

Out of all of these pictures, there are a few that I always look at when I need a pick me up, or a reminder of home. There is a picture of my mom and I sitting on the couch after school and work one day. We are both smiling and hugging each other. My mom is my best friend, and when I look at that picture, it reminds that no matter what, I always have someone in my corner. Even when I feel completely alone and am crying and stressed, I know that she loves me and is proud of what I am doing and supports me in all of my endeavors.

     There is also a specific picture of me and some of the little girls that I teach in dance classes back home. There ages range from about 5 to 8. They are all smiling and posing in their costumes before a performance. I look at that picture when I feel like I can’t do something, or when I am too worried about everything that I have to get done. It reminds me that I have little girls who look up to me, and want to be just like me someday. The picture is a sort of inspiration for me to be the best that I can be and make them proud. It reminds me to work every day so that I can be the role model that I want them to have.

     All in all, I have realized that in order to move forward into this new journey that we have just begun, we must remember where we come from and all of the people that have loved us and supported us and made us want to be the best that we can be. It also shows me that no matter where I am, and no matter what I do, I will always have a little bit of home to carry with me.