The existence of our universe is riddled with gaps from twenty-two time periods, four eons, and different civilizations. From the rise and fall of empires and lifeforms, Modern-day historians analyze these activities for cautionary tales, scientific advancement, and philosophical enlightenment. Erasure of our history by even a single time period would hinder our overall development and process as humans. If the ancient Greek philosophers hadn’t rewritten thought for preservation throughout the generations, our groundwork for the Revolutionary War would crumble along with the existence of the United States, the French Revolution, and the Latin American Independence movements. The indomitable human spirit to grow from adversity parallels my belief that everything in life is linear. With this definition, it seemed reasonable to conclude perseverance was the only correct constant. For a long time, I approached life with the same mentality; I believed the same occurred with our choices and actions. The best we could do is believe that everything will work out linearly. I spent my adolescence traveling between what felt like two identities. While I was able to persevere through discrimination, I resented that I had to prove how Chinese I was to fit into a discourse that didn’t have room for the other fifty percent of me. My Mother’s Chinese culture varied from my Father’s Caribbean culture, which I rejected in desperation for acceptance, allowing bleaching cosmetics and hair-straightening formulas to consume me. Despite suppressing my other half, the cultural differences would inevitably resurface. It was impossible to “grow” universally acceptable mold. However, similarly to the themes of the human spirit, I began to explore themes of adaptability and creation. Through a thematic study of the progress of humanity, I realized not everything is linear. If the atrocities and failures of humans were dismissed, we would fail to learn from the cautionary tales of history and instead cycle through learned mistakes. Much like history, I realized that setbacks can not be simply accepted but opposed. I’ve come to embrace and celebrate the true color of my skin and the customs that those who came before me fought to preserve. I’ve grown to understand that the true meaning of perseverance isn’t passiveness or complacency but growth and initiative. I learned the importance of self-appreciation by taking the initiative to research and admire the roots that I once rejected. Although I’m simply a small trial in the mural of racial history, I hope others can learn from my experience. The solution for my battle with internalized racism wasn’t a matter of acceptance but rather embracement and education. Knowledge is a facilitator of change and a vital stimulator for necessary conversations such as these. Through immersing myself in the humanities core I developed a deeper inquisition for the interconnectedness of human thought and cognition and its effects on our world and the institutions that promoted these biases within me. I realized that in order to leave a lasting impact on these institutions for the next generation, I needed a deeper understanding of these concurrent structures. Furthering my education in history would equip me support me in my mission to advocate for greater educational initiatives for our youth. Through education I hope to further the dialogue needed to solve the issue of interpersonal racism caused by gaps of knowledge and respect. I plan to utilize my concentrated study to develop my thesis on a thematic approach to class progression and its social repercussions. I hope to merge my background in educational initiatives and work toward extending a greater representation to underprivileged communities and develop equitable educational experiences that would support our future generation.

Within the enclaves of New York City, I belong to the community of first-generation immigrants. My place being, the apprentice. My residence in Brooklyn is an avenue between Middle Eastern, Hispanic, and Black clusters. Amidst the journey of self-discovery, I found myself interwebbed in a beautifully diverse friend group. Beyond our shared trials as adolescents, we had the unique experience of navigating the trials of cultural differences. I spent my adolescence traveling between what felt like two identities. While I was able to preserve through discrimination, I resented the fact that I had to prove how Chinese I was to fit into a discourse that didn’t have room for the other fifty percent of me. My Mother’s Chinese culture varied from my Father’s Caribbean culture, which I rejected out of hopelessness for acceptance. I found myself consumed by whitening cosmetics and hair-straightening formulas. Despite suppressing my other half, the cultural differences would inevitably resurface. It felt like there was no more I could do to “grow” into a version of me that would be universally acceptable. However, within the consistency of human history, I began to explore themes of adaptability and creation. Through a thematic study of the progress of mankind, not everything is linear. If the atrocities and failures of the human race were undocumented, we would fail to learn from the cautionary tales of history and be doomed to cycle through learned mistakes. I grew to learn that, much like history, there are setbacks and conflicts that can not be simply accepted but fought. I’ve come to embrace and appreciate the true color of my skin, the cultural features and customs preserved by the brave souls who resisted before me. I’ve come to understand that the true meaning of linear perseverance isn’t passiveness and complacency but rather growth and initiative. Through taking the initiative to research and admire the roots I once rejected, I learned the importance of self-acceptance and grew a deep pride in my identity. Although I’m simply a small trial in the mural of racial history, existing in a collateral timeline of those before, I hope that others can learn from my experience. The solution for my personal struggle with internalized racism wasn’t a matter of acceptance but rather embracement and education. Education is the facilitator of change and an important stimulator for necessary conversations such as these. Just as history continues to expand and evolve, my relationship with education and understanding will grow alongside it. My admiration for history is the unique dimension, and respect it awakens through shared commonalities and understanding. Through immersing myself in the humanities core I developed a deeper inquisition for the interconnectedness of human thought and cognition and its effects on our world and the institutions that promoted these biases within me. I realized that in order to leave a lasting impact on these institutions for the next generation, I needed a deeper understanding of these concurrent structures. I hope to pursue my education in the field of political science to further much needed dialogue for the underrepresented, and foster a world of empathy and understanding, void of bleaching products and cultural rejection.