Gotta Represent!

Ok, so I know I promised that the Aboriginal post would be next, but this is on my mind, so I figure I would just type it out. Swear the Aboriginal post is next! I have my notebook filled with facts right next to me!

It hit me these past couple of days that I'm sort of like an ambassador for the U.S. while I'm here in Australia. I remember one of the directors from the International Programs Office saying that to us all before we left. No medal or special recognition or anything haha, but while I'm here, I'm representing my country. I've had so many people ask me questions about what we do in America. I've found that a lot of their ideas about American life comes from what they see in the movies. And it's not always that way. So I've had to break a few things down for some people. For example, I've had people ask about college life, and if it's really all sororities and fraternities drinking and partying all week haha. I can only talk about my experience at Loyola, but we all know that the movies are mostly fake, but good at enforcing stereotypes. Since I'm here I have no problem telling people how it really is. In a nice and insightful way of course.

It also hit me again last week that I'm a representative for my African-American culture. Again going off of the movies, I've had people ask if I know any "Shaniquas" or "Shenenehs" ha! Again, things you see in the movies or on TV, and it's kind of awkward, but I'm not offended. I just kind of correct that all African American people are not the same, are not all the loud and stereotypical black folks that you might see on TV. Just last week, I had my music theatre professor ask me about stereotypes and the use of the N-word among other things that's seen in film and television, minstrel shows and the like. I felt then that I was also an ambassador for my beautiful black people, to explain to others a bit about our history and everything. It's sort of my duty, so that maybe people won't have these set thoughts about an entire culture anymore.

Again, it's not a huge job or anything, but I've realized that I'm more than Brittany Lee when I'm over here. I represent God, my family, my church, Loyola, as well as America, and my African-American culture. I gotta represent!

PEACE.