UW Madison Diverse Perspectives Scholarship

While divorce is a tough, and hard topic to talk about for many, it’s something that has helped me, and even guided me into what career I want in the future. Going through my parents divorce at such a young age has taught me a lot, and given me a perspective on the process. With my education, I want to ensure the best for all families and children that may end up going through the same process. I have hopes of becoming a family lawyer in the future. While my parents divorce had a lot of negative effects on me, I’m glad I was able to come out strong with something positive. When I was younger, I became very sad due to my parents’ divorce. I would slack off in school, and lie. It also caused me to pick up and overeating habit, and I eventually gained a lot of weight. This was years after the divorce, but for some reason, as I was older, I started to understand the divorce more. Even to this day, I am still learning details as to what truly happened. The best piece of advice that helped and still helps me overcome these feelings is that, the divorce never had anything to do with me. My parents did what was best for their relationship, and it had nothing to do with how they felt about me. I know they love me regardless. Today, I am a better student, and have become better at getting through my hard times. I’ve learned to move past the divorce, and use the emotions to strengthen myself. I want to study Political Science in hopes to become a lawyer. I have picked up better study habits, and am better at taking care of myself when I do feel overwhelmed with emotions. Coming from a community that is predominantly Black and African American, I know that there are stereotypes regarding Black families. I want to help families in my community break through the stereotypes. People believe that Black kids don’t have fathers, or a parent has to pay child support. I think these stereotypes are unfair, and come from a racist perspective. I want to work with families, and put the children’s first. Things like this are often hardest on the children, and that’s something that is often overlooked. Although the parents may not like the outcome, I believe they’ll be happy knowing the children are happy with the outcome.