In 2017, I graduated high school. Immediately following, I started my freshman year of college at Saint Bonaventure University. This college has a tradition of holding an essay contest for all incoming freshmen. The contest is to read a freshman-wide assigned book, and write a reflection essay. Winners are selected before the start of the semester and are then able to have lunch with the author. Marc Lamont Hill’s Nobody was my freshman class’s assigned book.
That summer, before beginning my essay, I was very passionate about winning and writing a touching reflective essay. I often sat at my computer typing and gathering ideas for what I wanted to share. With the guidance and advice from both my cousin Janell and my Say Yes Buffalo mentor at the time, we brainstormed, and the entire summer I breathed my soul as I recollected my childhood experiences that connected to the aspects of the book.
The first paragraph of my essay reads
Marc Lamont Hill, the author of Nobody, explores the life of minorities and the vulnerable while addressing three important values: community, individual worth, and discovery. He touches on sensitive topics such as the unjust treatment of these people for political and economic gain of more prominent groups of people which include police departments, institutions, and government officials. Mr. Hill was not afraid to touch on the issues that minorities and the vulnerable are facing almost every day, from racism to the neglection of their basic rights.
My Published Essay that the winners received in (Mixbook) can be read here. Rights belong to Saint Bonaventure University. Essay rights belong to the writers.
On September 26th, Marc Lamont Hill visited Saint Bonaventure University. All freshman were invited to the gym where we could collectively hear Marc’s speech. The winners of course sat in the front. I was seated on the right of him at the next section. He was still visible from my seat. I was able to catch a glimpse of him praying before he began his speech. Out of respect for prayers, I will not add the image of this moment. I only captured it for my own reflection later. He began his speech and I remember the whole time being proud and excited for him.
As one of the winners of All Bonaventure Reads, I was able to ask Marc direct questions about his views on certain topics over lunch. All of the winners were seated at a large table where we had a delicious meal. I will say that it was very quiet initially. I’m sure it was because the food was on everyone’s mind. But I was more interested in Marc Lamon Hill sitting right across from me. Being who I am, I felt obligated to lead the discussion. I asked the first question. A couple of people asked their questions and I did leave time between my questions to allow for others to ask questions, however, the pauses were too long and drawn out so I proceeded to ask my other questions. I do not recall what I asked him.
When speaking to Marc, he may have been a bit exhausted that day, so his motivated self was not fully there unless it was and I don’t know him that well.
After lunch, the Saint Bonaventure University Journalism Publication website posted about the Marc Lamont Hill visit. The author of the website is my English Professor who was very enthusiastic in teaching me about journalism, despite my major not being journalism. I considered dual majoring in environmental photography but my real intention was to pick only one, that is Environmental Studies.
I was five years old when I experienced domestic violence. I remember hearing screaming and crying throughout the house and it terrified me. I ended up having to live in the foster care system in Arizona. It was not until I was seven when my grandmother took me out of the foster care system. At this point, I now lived in Buffalo, New York where I had to start a new life and meet new people. Fortunately, I had a community: foster care, brothers, sisters, and a grandmother to lead me in the right direction. The government was part of my community and successfully took me away from the violence but, for victims presented in the book such as, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and Walter Scott, the government brought violence. They were all unarmed black men who were heinously and brutally shot.
Christin - Excerpt from Essa
I truly loved Saint Bonaventure University. I wanted to stay for my entire undergraduate experience. However, living in the dorms was not the best living situation and my mom could not exactly afford it. Instead, my mom offered a puppy if I attended University at Buffalo and not have to worry about dorm living. I am happy I got to experience a full year of it, though. It was such an amazing first experience and paved the way for my interest for future higher education.
