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.