I had a break down the other day. Me, yes superwoman, couldn't fly! Can you believe it? It was my birthday and I
still had to help others. But, who rescues me? When the energy pack is down, where do I go to recharge it? I admit, I never interviewed or applied for the superwoman's job. But, destiny with God's hand saw fit for me to have the position. Who can say no to God's calling?- No one. But a manual would definitely be nice!
I looked at all of the roles I fulfill and almost lost my mind. I wondered, when did I acquire all of these new responsibilities, and how do I deal with the learning process to make it work? I realized I am climbing up the socioeconomic/cultural ladder, but when I look back on the rungs, I am unsure if I'm leaving behind things that make me, me. And, I find I'm troubled with the ascent of more knowledge and peace.
Cultural Perspective
I didn't know I'd be the resident minority speaker on fashion, culture, music, food, and recreation in my circles. No one likes labels but for the sake of writing and being clear, I have to use it. As an African woman, in a leading tech field the emotional toll is heavy. Superwoman has to transcend cultural bounds. If I'm in majority American (non-immigrant or voluntary immigrant) groups I have to explain my hairstyles, eating preferences, musical tastes, etc, as its not "Black or African-American." So I have to share or keep getting put in this horrible stereotypical box. Without a comment here or there, the most ignorant, insensitive people prevail. I decided to wear my hair purposely in a curly afro style, make up and accessories as an honor to my people. I will say though, that I'm tired of code-switching. With the wake of new American conditions here, when will the grand conversation on acceptance and tolerance occur?
Grad School
This step of my life brings me sweet days and miserable ones. Yet, again the emotional toll is bananas because I've gotten to a place where I must speak up.Superwoman is in grad school too. As a matter of fact, it was probably a feat to get in grad school in the first place. I struggle sometimes because my counterparts live in these cozy bubbles where only things they do and like are wonderful. What a handicap! It bothers me because when we get to the subjects on reaching minority children many are clueless. And why? Why is it so hard when minority children are simply children? They too are children with interests, strengths, and multiple intelligences, but now that broken families are across cultures and economic status, perhaps there can be a little more understanding since the Black home has long since been attacked and broken. What the problem is for my fellow instructors is the lack of understanding about diverse thinking styles, expressions, opportunities due to historical constructs, etc. My take on it is that more minorities need opportunities to lead in fields directly related to their progress or we'll forever be trying to convince other groups how to help us. We need to lead in the sciences, education, arts and entertainment, sports, medicine,business, etc.. American mainstream needs to check the current measuring standards and make sure its proportionate/equal with ample affordable resources for minorities to be able to achieve more, or at the Grad level, we'll keep having to "perform'the 'majority group' standards alone" at a certain alien capacity instead of "excelling with respect to our diversity reaching both majority and minority, or excelling at working with minority populations" Enough said.
Marriage
I have learned that everything superwoman needs is connected to her superman if she has one. I was listening to Oprah and she said that her producers and staff can only do what they do because they have exceptional spouses. Some spouses able to handle all the requirement for superwoman to fulfill all of the roles assigned to her outside of the home keeping her at homeostasis. My husband helps me streamline the procedures for laundry, cooking, business, work, and school with regard to opening up past cultural perceptions about what a husband and wife should/shouldn't do. And how much technology should be implemented in the home.
Work
I thought I would sit back and learn valuable lessons from my coworkers. But, superwoman appears there too. Work is where I feel all the cultural, socioeconomic, and marriage differences. As I work diligently to sharpen my superwoman vision in grad school, I have to apply it to my work because there are many girls and minority students needing my assistance in technology education.
Luckily,
My husband has been putting it down for me, and I'm becoming refreshed again to fight on.
Inspired by life growth....
