Freshman year was a learning experience with growing pains. I had preconceived notions of what it would be like as a Black male at a Predominately White Institution. I believed that I would be in a diverse place where I could meet people from different backgrounds and life experiences. I was extremely excited to begin this journey, and being a member of the Honors program made me even more excited. However, that excitement quickly turned into shock and disbelief, when people questioned whether I belonged at UNC in the honors program.
It was an isolating experience, being the only Black male in a room, and people having stop their conversations and stare at me. In addition to struggling socially, I discovered academic challenges – I was not a strong writer at the start. However, instead of giving up, I worked extremely hard to get better. I spent hours in the library, went to professors’ office hours almost every day, and used external resources (e. g. , websites and UNC’s writing center). By the end of my first semester, I completed many of my goals; but, I felt physically and emotionally drained, and I considered giving up.
During this time, I drew inspiration from one of my favorite people from history, Harriet Tubman. I thought about her reaction when she had individuals on the Underground Railroad who wanted to turn around, and go back into slavery. Tubman would forcefully command them to move or they could die where they stood – the passengers could not turn back around. Whenever I struggled, I always thought back to this story – I realized the freedom seekers could not go back into slavery because the struggle that they faced would have been in vain. If I had given up, the struggle would not have mattered.
This is when I realized that life was going to go on with or without me. Just as the passengers on the Underground Railroad only had two options, I could give up and stay complacent in my situation, or I could move forward and allow life to get better. After much thought and prayer, I chose the latter, knowing that this was only a minor setback and realizing that life had to get better. Tam grateful that I stayed, because out of the adversity I faced, I discovered my passion. From my own experience, I saw that there was a lack of resources for Black men on my campus.
I started doing research on these issues, and discovered people not just on my college campus but at others, who were facing similar issues that I was. I joined extracurricular activities that focused on these issues. This process resulted in mentorships with faculty and staff on campus. I also became a mentor, and started sharing my story with Black men on my campus and through blogs. This allowed me to grow academically, professionally, and personally. Through this process, discovered myself and what I wanted to commit my life to; that is, helping Black men obtain higher education and excel while doing it.
This acknowledgement of my purpose helped me to meet new people, grow more confident in my schoolwork, and develop a deeper relationship with God. It also helped me become a leader on campus, and allowed me to find an organization with the sole purpose of creating resources and advocating on the behalf of Black men on campus. During this life changing experience, I learned the importance of the journey. The journey is where important life lessons take place, struggle, adversity, and fears are conquered.
This process allows for an individual to discover who they truly are, so when they get to the destination, they are able to appreciate it more. I know that I will be able to appreciate the destination, because I learned so many valuable lessons during my undergraduate career. My journey through college allowed me to build and sharpen skills that are pertinent to law school – skills like selfawareness and perseverance, and it ultimately molded me into a leader. Law school is full of many challenges; however, I know that I am well-trained to triumph over them.
With self awareness and perseverance comes humility. All of my struggles allowed me to see and understand my strengths and weaknesses. Although, I know that sometimes I will fail, I know that this will provide me opportunities to grow, I know myself and exactly what I am capable of achieving, and I am not afraid to push myself past those limits. When challenges come my way I work hard to find solutions to the problems, and if solutions do not exist I am not afraid to create them, I do not set and play the victim but find ways to make sure that I am victorious.
Ultimately, this is the impetus for applying to law school. Many of the issues that I am passionate about, and would like to change will require having access to a legal education. Particularly, I want to fight against the many injustices that prevent young Black men from reaching their full potential, and having access to higher education and better life. My sociology background at UNC helped me understand how unequal our society is, and I feel that law school will further my knowledge and enhance my skills to become a change agent and advocate.
Finally, I know that I will be a great candidate because I understand the importance of the journey. Law school will be a time where I am learning inside and outside of the classroom. Though many people will look towards the finish line; I will use the time to continue to work on myself and develop vital leadership and character traits that will benefit me in my personal life as well as in my future career. I will strive to use the many lessons and skills that will be develop in law school to be a change agent in my community and in the world.
