Conductor of change
I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. The town I grew up in was small, yet despite its size, many divisions were apparent. One of these divisions was the railroad tracks following the river through the city. I've come to realize the part they played in my childhood experiences. My friends never came to my house for sleepovers and their parents wouldn't make plans if my mother was driving their children. Summer camps, the bus stop, and enticing playgrounds were on the other side. The eyes that saw me were full of judgement i was deprived of trust and opportunity because of where I lived, something I had no power to change. It was isolating.
My family moved to a new city when I was in middle school. Still, the presence of divisions lingered. We chose a school outside of my …show more content…
Ironically, being a school-of-choice student had a negative effect on my grades. I was teased, and frequently told, 'go home.’ I wasn't invited to join clubs or sports teams. My only friends were other school-of-choice misfits. I was tired of being an outsider.
Currently, I know other people are going through the same experience. It's sickening to know that kids right now are being bullied and harassed. These battles have influenced me to not just want a change, but to make a change. I aim to transform communities into a place of inclusion, acceptance, and understanding of others.The sense of belonging could have an immeasurable impact on someone's life. If I could change one aspect about my community, I would eliminate the mindset of exclusion. I know I alone cannot change how people think, however, putting forth an effort to help others
I grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. The town I grew up in was small, yet despite its size, many divisions were apparent. One of these divisions was the railroad tracks following the river through the city. I've come to realize the part they played in my childhood experiences. My friends never came to my house for sleepovers and their parents wouldn't make plans if my mother was driving their children. Summer camps, the bus stop, and enticing playgrounds were on the other side. The eyes that saw me were full of judgement i was deprived of trust and opportunity because of where I lived, something I had no power to change. It was isolating.
My family moved to a new city when I was in middle school. Still, the presence of divisions lingered. We chose a school outside of my …show more content…
Ironically, being a school-of-choice student had a negative effect on my grades. I was teased, and frequently told, 'go home.’ I wasn't invited to join clubs or sports teams. My only friends were other school-of-choice misfits. I was tired of being an outsider.
Currently, I know other people are going through the same experience. It's sickening to know that kids right now are being bullied and harassed. These battles have influenced me to not just want a change, but to make a change. I aim to transform communities into a place of inclusion, acceptance, and understanding of others.The sense of belonging could have an immeasurable impact on someone's life. If I could change one aspect about my community, I would eliminate the mindset of exclusion. I know I alone cannot change how people think, however, putting forth an effort to help others