A Graduating Senior Explains Why She’s Proud to Be
posted by Nieema Williams | April 24, 2019 | In OpinionI’m not too good at good-byes. I have separation issues, and this may be one of the hardest breakups of my life.
I’ve mustered the strength to leave this love-hate relationship of my college career with hopes of a brighter future and life-long happiness. Horrid long days turned to cherished long nights, and good friends turned life-long friends and an entire Bronco Family. It has literally been the best of times and the worst of times. However, I wouldn’t trade my college career for anything in the world.
At Fayetteville State University, I found myself and I found my purpose. I love my HBCU.
I dreamed of attending an HBCU and was excited for the journey college would present, in and of itself. I am from Lumberton, NC, only 40 miles south of Fayetteville, NC, so I always knew FSU would be my choice. The campus became my home, providing me with the support and resources I needed to excel. I was raised for this, and everything I saw in my home and community prepared me to be the person I am now. The years have passed, as promised, college has been conquered, my life has been changed.
I grew up watching shows such as A Different World, Living Single, The Cosby Show, and Sister-Sister, and they all displayed Black people who were college educated or getting an education at an HBCU and were successful. What I feared most about going to college was doing the work. So I gravitated towards these depictions of Black excellence and created my own space by choosing to major in communication. I want to be a storyteller, a keeper and creator of my culture’s truths.
My struggle has been all too real while here at FSU, but the good outweighs the bad because I found my village. My peers have inspired me, given joy, sorrow, doubt, happiness, and most importantly pride: Bronco Pride.
May 11, 2019 I will be handed a degree that declares I’m proficient in one subject matter alone, but I will know the truth. The redesigned of my emotional, physical, and metaphysical self is what I truly gained in my undergraduate journey. That is why I am so very PROUD TO BE!
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