The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/author/ghickmon/)
I cannot believe that it has been four years and that it is finally my turn to graduate. It feels like I have spent my whole life working towards and waiting for this moment. As a kid, I could not wait to be “grown.” As a highschooler, I dreamt of college everyday. Sometimes I still dream about college if I’m being honest. I wonder if I did the last four years “right.” Did I work hard enough?
Cornell really sucks sometimes. I do not think I have ever been in a relationship filled with more highs and lows than the one that I have with Cornell. One day, I love this place and am walking around full of joy and admiration for this institution. The next, I can barely get out of bed and see no value in any of my classes or experiences here. I’m of course nostalgic because graduation is approaching.
Graduation is 46 days away. Forty-six days away, that lowkey (highkey) creeps me out. I was walking to a meeting yesterday just marveling at the fact that in a few weeks, this venerable institution is going to be my alma mater. If I am being honest, I kind of still cannot believe it. Still cannot believe that they admitted me to this University.
Hi friends, how are you? I hope March is treating you well and that prelims and other commitments aren’t taking your sanity like they are mine. I am writing because well, there is something I need to get off my chest and it is important so I hope that as you read these words, you truly take them to heart. Dear White People, marginalized communities need you. I am sure you’re wondering what I mean by that.
Black History Month was lit, like, it was a lituation. And I had a feeling that Women’s History Month was going to be too, especially when Melissa Harris-Perry started it off by leaving her post at MSNBC and spilling all the tea on Twitter. (What did we do before social media allowed us glimpses into the salacious lives of American celebrities?) But then, Kim Kardashian posted a nude selfie and the timeline went from discussing women’s empowerment to slut-shaming, spewing patriarchal nonsense and outright judging Kim for her behavior. Don’t get me wrong, I am not about to post nudes to my Instagram, but as a self-identified and proud feminist, I will march for Kim, or anyone else’s right to do so. It does not make her less of a mother, woman or human being worthy of respect (and if you think it does then your penchant for respectability politics is showing and you should do better).
It was a seemingly normal day, a Friday, last Friday to be exact. Classes were done for the week but the day was full of meetings. During a break in one, I happened to get on Facebook and see an article in this here Sun about some Black Students Union. Of course, I was confused because Cornell doesn’t have a Black Students Union. We have Black Students United, but no Black Students Union.
My freshman year was so lit. Not only was Kendrick Lamar our Slope Day performer in 2013, but Nas, Jhene Aiko, Elle Varner and John Legend also graced our campus. So, you can imagine my disappointment when this year’s Slope Day artists were announced. Like seriously, who are Walk the Moon and Cash Cash? Do not get me wrong, I understand that Cornell is comprised of thousands of students with varying music tastes but these people were not even on the survey that was sent out at the beginning of this school year.