This situation has happened more then once. Once in Middle School and once in High School. In Middle School this took place toward the end of 8th Grade year. We were in science class sitting at grey long styled tables, these tables sat two people each and we were just relaxing talking in class. It was like 85 degrees outside so the class was hot but not too hot because of the air conditioner. So it was me and my boys, Adrian, Michael, and Ruben talking about what we plan on doing that summer of 2018 and where each other live. So Adrian and Ruben go ahead and say where they live, and I stated ” Oh yall live mad close to me.” They proceed to ask ” oh word what projects/buildings you live in” because they as well lived in the projects. I replied ” ohh nahhh I don’t live in the projects I live in a brownstone, my room is on the third floor.” They begin to look at me in shock, and thats what opened my eyes that a lot of people think all Black people live in the hood or the projects. So they then reply ” OHHHH you Rich.” I begin to laugh because in my head im saying ” bruh im not rich, im just regular” but to them me living in a brownstone was RICH.
That wasn’t the only time that happened though. It was senior year, during 6th period we had a dedicated class to work on college stuff. This class had alot of windows that were like Four and a half feet tall, and we would open them for air because the air conditioner in that class would not work. We sat at rectangular tables that would fit 4 people comfortably. So this specific day me and my 3 other friends Marquese, Chassidy, and Teanna had finished our college business for the day. So we begin talking about the neighborhoods we live in just relating and vibing. Then they begin talking about their struggles growing up and as their listing these struggles they’re all like ” yeaaaaa i remember those ” or ” yeaaaa i used to hate having to do that” and they realize I cant really relate, so they’re confused on how im not able to relate. Chassidy then proceed to say ” dont you also live in the hood”. I replied in laughter ” nahhhhhh”. So she ask ” where you LIVE!”. I replied in laughter ” In a brownstone, and yesss we own it.” She then looks at me with that “Ohhh Okayyyy” expression. So i just learned that people really think all Black people live in the hood and that I should be grateful where I am because not everyone has the luxury I got.
I like how you added dialogue but maybe you can add more details on how it shaped you?
I like the dialogue, you can add how you felt after hearing said replies.
AJ – This is very interesting. I am going to pull out two interesting sentences from your piece:
Your opening statement: This situation has happened more then [than] once.
You write: a lot of people think all Black people live in the hood or the projects.
Connecting this to Chimamanda Adichie’s TEDtalk, have you experienced being turned into a single story? And does this single story cause you to feel out of place within your own community? I am referring to the comments from your “boys.” They think that you live in public housing (this is a stereotype) like themselves, and when they learn that you live in a family-owned brownstone, they automatically assume that you must be “Rich,” another stereotype.
So there are two stereotypes or TWO different single stories here: 1. that all black ppl live in public housing and 2. that ppl who live in a brownstone are “rich.” These are difficult and personal topics, but I believe it could result in a very interesting essay about being BETWEEN TWO WORLDS. Why can’t ppl see you as your own story, your own person, and not make assumptions about you? Does this thought, this question ring true in your ears? If so this might make for a really good writing topic.
How has this effected you? In your school life? With your school peers?
And could you connect this with your academic goals. You have written that your father is sharing his interest/knowledge in Finance and Real Estate, and that you have a “passion” for Architecture. You have written that you will major in Architecture as a way to join Real Estate and your passion. What type of work does your father do? Does he invest in Real Estate — or — does he work in Real Estate? How does his influence guide you? Did he also have to combat stereotyping in his life? SO have these single stories about you – have you found a way to deal with these stereotypes by turning it into a strength, a direction, a career path? How did you become interested in Real-Estate and Architecture?
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This situation has happened more then once. Once in Middle School and once in High School. In Middle School this took place toward the end of 8th Grade year. We were in science class sitting at grey long styled tables, these tables sat two people each and we were just relaxing talking in class. It was like 85 degrees outside so the class was hot but not too hot because of the air conditioner. So it was me and my boys, Adrian, Michael, and Ruben talking about what we plan on doing that summer of 2018 and where each other live. So Adrian and Ruben go ahead and say where they live, and I stated ” [CORRECT with 5 things for quotes!] Oh yall live mad close to me.”
[new par for new speaker] They proceed to ask [CORRECT with 5 things for quotes: comma, quote, capital]”Oh word what projects/buildings you live in[?” because they [cut — as well—cut] lived in the projects.
I replied [CORRECT with 5 things for quotes!] ” ohh nahhh I don’t live in the projects I live in a brownstone, my room is on the third floor.”
They begin to look at me in shock, [more description on their reaction and on your inner thoughts as you see their shock and thats what opened my eyes that a lot of people think all Black people live in the hood or the projects. [Make a CONNECTION to one of our readings here – to The Danger of A Single Story]
So they then reply ” OHHHH you Rich.”
I begin to laugh because in my head im saying ” [CORRECT with 5 things for quotes!] bruh im not rich, im just regular” but to them me living in a brownstone was RICH.
That wasn’t the only time that happened though.
It was senior year, during 6th period we had a dedicated class to work on college stuff. This class had alot of windows that were like Four and a half feet tall, and we would open them for air because the air conditioner in that class would not work. We sat at rectangular tables that would fit 4 [SPELL OUT numbers under 10] people comfortably. So this specific day me and my 3 other friends Marquese, Chassidy, and Teanna had finished our college business for the day. So we begin talking about the neighborhoods we live in just relating and vibing.
Then they begin talking about their struggles growing up and as their listing these struggles [WHAT struggles? List them, or show exactly what one of the friends said about their struggles]
They’re all like ” yeaaaaa i remember those ” or ” yeaaaa i used to hate having to do that” and they realize I cant really relate [WHAT were you doing or saying that shows you “can’t really relate”?] so they’re confused on how im not able to relate.
Chassidy then proceed[ed watch verb tense errors!] to say [5 THINGS FOR QUOTE] ” dont you also live in the hood” [describe how she said it].
I replied in laughter ” nahhhhhh”.
So she asked [verb tense!] ” where you LIVE!”.
I replied in laughter ” In a brownstone, and yesss we own it.”
She then looks at me with that “Ohhh Okayyyy” expression [WHAT is this expression. Describe with Concrete Specific Details — need better CSD].
So i [capital] just learned that people really think all Black people live in the hood and that I should be grateful where I am because not everyone has the luxury I got.
NOW can you go on/continue with these topics:
HOW has this effected you? In your school life? With your school peers? Has the fact that you have the “luxury” to live in your own family brownstone put distance between you and them? HOW so? If yes, how have you dealt with this distance? HOW have you put your friends at ease and make them accept you? Has your “luxury” living condition ever made the teachers at school stereotype you or make assumptions about you?
THEN – Has this different world that you live in give you the goal, the advantage, the desire (whatever it is) to study Finance, Arch, Real-Estate? Explain. Look back to your HW on Mentor Quote. Can you give a description/scene of your dad [guiding you in learning about Finance and Real Estate] and you sitting to discuss and plan out your future academic and career goals?