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Thursday, July 3, 2025

The Black Column: I Love to Write, I Need to Write

When I was younger, I used to love to write. To me, there was

nothing more relaxing than just sitting down with a piece of

paper, putting a pen in my hand and letting my mind take me

to places I had yet to discover. It seems, though, as I've gotten

older, that writing has become more of a task than a source of

enjoyment. I mean, with the constant writing assignments given

out by professors and the never ending lists of essays for internships

and various applications, writing has lost a great deal of its

appeal to me.

To me, writing just isn't the same as it used to be. I miss the

times when I could write – just because. I miss how when I

would choose to share what I had written, it was appreciated and

taken at its worth, for what it was: my thoughts, my feelings, a

part of me that I wanted to give to a particular listener or audience.

I feel as though that is all a thing of the past. Now it seems

like writing about something you think is important or something

you are passionate about is rarely asked of or required.

I decided to start writing for the Black Column because it was

always one of my favorite parts of The Rotunda. Don't get me

wrong, the paper has a lot of interesting parts and can be quite

informative, but the Black Column catered more so to the Black

Community, whereas other parts were lacking at times.

I loved opening the paper and seeing viewpoints and discussions

given by someone I could easily relate to. I loved seeing the

articles that were about issues that were of significant importance

to me. I loved the Black Column – period, so when one of the

originators of the Black Column asked if I would take on the task

of filling their shoes, I readily said, "Yes!"

Writing for this column gives me great joy. I can't describe how

proud I've felt this past semester when several of my peers told

me that for the first time, they've actually started getting copies

of The Rotunda for themselves and friends because they look

forward to reading the Black Column. Knowing that people actually

care enough to take time out of their schedules to read my

thoughts, opinions and feelings is an indescribable feeling. Being

able to somewhat represent my people has been amazing.

I love to write. I need to write; but at times it just doesn't feel

like it used to. I still, however, feel that writing is something

that I have no choice but to do. I've never really known why, but

something has always drawn me to writing and made me feel as

though it is somewhat of a responsibility of mine.

Throughout this past month, I've been thinking about the

people that came before me - my predecessors, those giants that

left enormous footsteps for me to fill. In thinking back on them,

I thought about how at one point in time, it was illegal for slaves

to be taught to read or write, so how dare I take this great privilege

for granted? Having your works printed for others to read

puts you in a position of vulnerability, and that is quite powerful

in itself.

Whenever I write, I put my all into it. I give a part of myself

away. Writing is something that I feel is especially crucial for

us as black people. Readers, I challenge you all to write. Be it a

poem, a few lines, a paragraph, a paper, whatever, just sit for a

couple minutes, and just write! The phenomenal poet/artist J.

Ivy said it best when he stated, "I need to write. Just yesterday, it

was illegal for me to write. Where my pen at? I need to write.

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