By the time you’re reading this, I will be far away from little Henniker. It saddens me that I am even writing this, but there is beauty in endings. Writing for The NewEnglander was never my original goal, I didn’t even have a goal. I was literally trying to figure out what I wanted to do. But once I realized that this opinionated girl had a lot to say, I knew it was necessary for me to start this column.
I have talked about things that make others uncomfortable and I have been an active listener to the female black community here at NEC. I have used my platform to educate, entertain, and to give a glimpse of the everyday struggle of women of color. I remember when we were just a print newspaper and I walked past a girl’s dorm room and saw my newspaper piece cut out and stuck on her door.
I never felt more needed.
As time changed, so did my content, and so did my audience. I grew as a writer and grew as a storyteller. I made those who had no idea what women of color faced on a daily basis aware, and once you are aware of what others go through you can no longer be a part of the problem, you have no other choice but to implement change.
Being at NEC for these 3 ½ years has been a very bumpy ride. But I have accomplished so much as a woman of color from Brooklyn, NY. I became VP of Student Senate two years in a row, I went on to plan women of color acknowledgment events (this February will be the third annual event!) and that led me to start AMGU (Amazing Minority Girls Unite), which also won organization of the year! I was the president of AMGU for a year, now recently passing the torch to another young promising Black girl here at NEC.
And of course, the first thing I started before anything was Black Girl Problems. This column is my first child, a love like no other, and I am so happy she flourished! She has bought joy into the lives of many of my readers and I am glad I was able to do so.
I am even more glad for all the contributions I have made in my undergrad years. And I wouldn’t change any of my experiences. I have truly grown and it is because of this institution.
We all have a voice, and it is up to us to use it.
There are people who will encourage you, so don’t feel spineless! You can accomplish anything with help from others. So next time you feel passionate about something, if you run into a tall bald guy by the name of Professor Homestead, tell him your plans, he will help you! Because he was the person who embraced Black Girl Problems with open arms.
I thank you all for the support, I thank you all for listening to a young black girl speak her truth. Thank you to all my readers who aligned with my struggles. But it is time for a girl to thrive in the real world! Hopefully, you’ll be seeing me soon, doing something amazing of course!
