Becoming yourself at a PWI & beyond

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Those powerful words by the great Audre Lorde have guided me through my experience at West Chester University and helped me grow into my own person. Standing up and speaking up for what’s right isn’t always easy for everyone. In my experience, I never wanted to be in the spotlight, and at a Predominately White Institution (PWI), it may seem as if it’s impossible to speak on social justice, racism, homophobia, transphobia and other important issues that we need to raise awareness on. But, as Audre Lorde said, if your vision and passion are powerful enough, it doesn’t matter where you are — it’s enough to make a difference.

Whatever movement, organization, story or own personal experience that inspired you to get involved and become an advocate and activist is important. For me, I started “A Voice at The Table,” a diversity column that’s featured in The Quad, a few years ago: I was tired of having to walk into a classroom and pretend that a racial killing or arrest didn’t happen a couple of nights ago, and of censoring how I feel as a black person in general due to going to a PWI, where there aren’t a lot of spaces where you can just be you unapologetically. I figured there were other students from other backgrounds dealing with oppression that felt the same way. It started out as a small monthly journal article, but then it soon created stepping stones for change at West Chester: starting with our Town Hall hosted with Public Safety and the WCPD, and continuing on to cover several social justice issues here at West Chester. If you have that same experience or feeling that I had, go with it and speak up until you’re heard. Whatever it is you’re advocating for, it matters. There are others that will join you, even if they don’t have the same ideas or vision as you. The support is still needed because when you come in raising awareness on an issue, be prepared for your thoughts and feelings to change as you get a bigger perspective and you meet other people, especially at college and beyond in your life. Everyone has their own story that deserves to be heard. 

Going into this activist role, it’s important to know that you can’t speak for every group. Yes, you can help advocate, raise awareness and educate yourself, but more importantly help them find their voice. I can’t speak on what it feels like to be a Black Woman who is transgender, but I can tell you why they deserve protective rights. I can’t speak on how it feels to not be able to find a bathroom that you feel safe using, but I can help fight for more gender-neutral bathrooms and so on.  

I’ve also learned that however small you think your voice is, it’s leading to a major impact that you probably didn’t know has much effect on people. I also learned to take advantage of every opportunity that needs more advocacy, whether you’re the voice speaking up or you’re just simply helping. 

During this journey I doubted myself many times, asking “Is what I say really going to matter?” or “Am I going to make a difference?” and many more. Many of us have encountered imposter syndrome in our lives. It’s normal; at times we aren’t the most positive about ourselves. But you have to give yourself the same fight that you give others and know who you are. If you know what’s in your heart and why you’re advocating, don’t stop speaking up for yourself. Don’t give in and make yourself small, and don’t allow others to make you feel small. We hit our lows and highs, and sometimes we hit a lot of lows that make us feel we’re not doing enough, what we say doesn’t matter, or we failed. But the only way you can fail and give in to imposter syndrome is if you let self doubt get in your way. Don’t let negative thoughts take up rent in your head 

Going along with that, it’s easy to feel out of place being at a PWI where there might not be as many people that can relate to you. Some of these institutions weren’t built with you in mind, but that shouldn’t stop you from obtaining your purpose and occupying that space unapologetically. It can be uncomfortable at times, but with change and growth doesn’t come comfort. In history we saw that making a difference isn’t easy, and it also doesn’t happen in a day.  When you walk in a room hold your head up high and make your presence known and felt. You deserve to be here just as much as anyone else.