23 January 2012

Scholarships and Stuff

I'm writing a scholarship essay and reflecting on why I want to work with Black queer (LGBTQ) youth.  Must I explain everything?! If it gets me a scholarship, I can spin them a bawdy tale...

Anyways, I sent my rough draft to my advisor and she wants me to give a bit more information about why I am specifically interested in this demographic.  Uh, why would I not be?   But those white judges scoring my essay have most likely never had a last ing or definite interst in this population, so I'm taking it from Square 1.0.  

That section will go something like:

As a queer youth growing up in the traditional South, I found it very hard to find means to express my True self while operating within the rigid confines of  the binary gender categories.  I did not feel 'female' because by definition I was supposed to be 'boy crazy' 'wearing makeup and dressed in short, tight, revealing clothing.  I did not feel 'male', despite my affinity for rough play, sports and dressing  'like a boy'. While I was a child, these expressions were acceptable, but as I began to approach my teenage years, I began to internalise the messages of how and what I was supposed to be from the media, from my peers and also from my family. The pressure to conform only worsened as time went by.

I want to be able to provide Black youth facing similar difficulties and confusion to be able to have a ready alternative example, someone who can guide them along the path to forming their individual identities.  


Or something like that.  I'm supposed to be shortening this damned essay.  Right now I feel like re-writing it, but thanks to this snowstorm, my time is limited.  I'm Oh well, I'll make due with the time that is given to me. 

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