Have you ever recalled a moment
where you have assumed a perception of somebody until you have actually met
them and realize you were completely wrong? I know I have.
I watched this inspiring video of the “single
story.” Up until recently I have never heard of the concept. What is the single story? Watching a TED Talk given by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, she spoke about
the “single story." If you have not seen it you should watch it, her words are
intellectually escalating. Adichie discusses that “the single story is the
single perception of a people based on what you hear,” that if you see or hear
about a type of people as one thing, and only one thing, that is the only thing
they become to you. In promoting the single story the similarities in
humanity are blocked by the differences that flood our perception of a type of
people. Everyone is guilty of basing conclusions of people from areas they are
unfamiliar with based on what they read, hear or watch, as the good old saying
goes “don’t judge a book by its cover.” Take Detroit for instance, not all
areas are horrible or unsafe. I am from Detroit and my neighborhood is nothing
like the news stories aired. To someone who has never been to Detroit to see
all the beauty it holds, they only have the perception of hell on Earth.
My name is Susie and
here is my “un-single story.” I grew up in a suburban neighborhood right
outside of Detroit. Some say I grew up on both sides of the track, to tell you
the truth I have to agree with them. I am grateful for this though, as I have
obtained a widely diverse upbringing full of wonderful memories, good times,
and great friends and family.
My mother comes from a large musical family,
picture the Brady Bunch meets Partridge Family. Family gatherings are always
interesting and fun. Most holidays are laced with instruments, games, puzzles,
storytelling and singing, not just carols either, I’m talking Beetles, Hall and
Oats… all the good stuff. I wouldn't trade any of those moments for anything.
I went to school
with all sorts of kids. I didn’t care if you were a jock, stoner, roughneck,
bookworm, or a gleek (for lack of a better term), I talked to them all, even the
smelly and awkward kids. School wasn't my only source of meeting people. I met
a ton from surrounding cities at a nearby skating rink, the dance studio I attended
and choir (both school and church). Yes, I am a rink rat, a bun head and a
choir geek. Over the years I made friends from several cities and states, all
unique in their own way, with different cultures, hobbies, and interests, which
I still see and talk to on a regular basis.
I enjoyed the rink so much that I got a job
there when I was 14, which I held for two whole years. Since then, I have been
employed at a few different places, in different jobs. One of my most favorite
was bartending. I got to meet new people every day and it was a fast paced
environment that suited my need to keep busy. Sometimes listening to people
made me feel like an under paid therapist, however, listening to great music at
work was a bonus. I did my job, I did it well, and I truly enjoyed it.
When you know a
vast amount of people things happen more often than not, including funerals. I
attended my first non-family member funeral when I was 11 years old. Since then
I have attended at least one funeral per year, almost all of which never saw
the age of 30, some tragic accidents, others illness, habits or murders. I’m
not telling you this for a pity party, but to give you a full understanding of
my life experience. Life experiences contain good as well as bad. Yes I grew up
in Detroit, yes I had a highly diverse group of friends (still do), and yes I came from a
warm loving family. All of these experiences are not typical, but what is
typical? Just because I hung out on both sides of the track does not mean I
sell drugs, run with gangs and shoot houses up, however, I do have two Pit
Bulls that don’t fit their stereotype either. To tell you the truth I am a well-rounded
person who would give you the shirt off of my back, offer you my home, and be
there to help whenever. I have learned so much from the people I have met and
the things I have experienced. I have been a therapist, a rock, and a sister to
many, as they have been to me.
This is my un-“single
story”. Life gives you experiences, choices, learning lessons, and opportunity but
most of all joy. Joy in being a daughter, sister, aunt, skater, dancer, singer,
provider, student, worker, life-long friend, care taker, girlfriend, fiancée,
bartender, and being the best that I can be.
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