Alumni Corner: I'm almost tired of having a dream

I’m almost tired of having a dream, because there’s more to Black History Month than just that, and I’m tired of sitting, because the struggles of African Americans before me stood for much more.

This is my first year as a teacher and I couldn’t have been more excited about experiencing February in this capacity. Yes, it’s about love, but more importantly I get the opportunity to be my authentic self without judgment.

I can celebrate my roots unapologetically and wear my hair in its natural state without the looks and stares. Not only do I get to have this experience, but I now have the opportunity to share it with the 24 little minds I am blessed to nurture and watch grow daily.

I composed this list of riddles about black artists, teachers, mathematicians, engineers, inventors, poets and authors to read to my children every day.

I wanted to expose them to as much black history as possible, but I questioned whether it was too much. I knew these children wouldn’t be able to figure out Edward Bouchet, Angela Davis or W.E.B Dubois.

Then I remembered that my choices were intentional. I wanted them to be unable to guess them all, so I could teach them a little more about their magical roots! I didn’t want them to be exposed to the same people they see and hear about every Black History Month.

And after I had my realization, I got angry. First I was angry at myself for almost slipping into the trap of just showing them a little and not exposing them to just how great black people are.

I was also angry that for years everyone has been complacent with skipping over the history of just how powerful and smart the ancestors of these black children were. I want them to know that the same power and wit flows through them.

So you see, I’m tired of just sitting here and dreaming. Black history runs deeper than that.

I encourage you to take the time to educate yourself and the people around you about just how dope African Americans are, especially this month. Eventually we won’t still be dreaming, but rather we’ll be doing all the great things we dreamed. And eventually we’ll stop sitting and start walking in our greatness.

Though the author of this quote is unknown, it speaks to me: “For as long as I am black, I am historic. I do not need a month. I exist for a lifetime.”