For Whom the Bell Toles
“I’m searching and praying and hoping for something, I know i’m goin’ see it, I know that it’s coming.” – J. Cole
Everyone has something that keeps them grounded and stable. Mine so happens to be my spirituality and J. Cole. Greetings! My name is Lauryn Hoard. I am a sophomore, Psychology major, with a concentration in Mental Health, and minor in African Diaspora studies. I am from a little place named Woodbridge, Virginia. My pronouns are she and her. How did I get to college? The world may never know, but what I do know, is that something big is in the works for someone like me. I know that it’s coming…
Immortal
“To die a young legend or live a long life unfulfilled? ‘Cause you wanna change the world, but while alive you never will.” – J. Cole
One thing people learn about me as they get to know me, is that I am very passionate about helping others. This doesn’t always mean I’m doing community service (although I enjoy doing that), but just being the listening ear someone needs, or the girl who helps someone get their projects done at the last minute. Making people happy, makes me happy. I’ve always wanted to be known for my spirit. For years after I pass away, I want to be remembered for the positive energy and happiness I gave to the world and to others. I don’t want to be remembered for my job, or the amount of money I made, just my genuineness. The question however is not what I want to be remembered for, but how to make a lasting impact while still alive?
Deja Vu/Ville Mentality/Change
“She mess with small town brothas, I got bigger dreams/ How long can I survive with this mentality?” – J. Cole
When I was younger, I never believed the saying that “birds of a feather, flock together.” As I’ve begun to grow and transition into an adult, I now know how true this saying can be. I try to surround myself around productive people who want the same successes that I do. With that being said, I hope to one day become a Forensic Psychologist or Social Worker temporarily. I want to get my Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and then open my own facility for formerly incarcarated criminals. My focus would be on minorities, to help them transition back into society easier. I know this can only get done by staying focused and positive through my undergraduate/graduate career, surrounding myself with good energy, and networking, networking, networking.
He’s Mine/Foldin Clothes
“You read me like a book like i’m the Bible, you the Reverend/ You are now the reason that I fight, I ain’t never did nothing this right in my whole life” – J. Cole
When I get older, I do want a husband, a family, and life long friends. I don’t think that success necessarily brings happiness, only love does that. I want someone to share my trials and tribulations, my successes, and my knowledge with. Not only that, but I want friends that stay in my life until I get old. when I get older, I can tell my children stories about our Spelman experiences and what friendship really encompasses. I want to experience the joy of being a mother and teaching my children the importance of kindness and authenticity. That is how my legacy will continue to stay alive, even after I am gone. I want to live the full life experience considering we only get one life and as drake said, everybody dies, but not everybody lives.
Neighbors
“Some things you can’t escape: death, taxes, and a ra-cist society that makes everyone feel like a candidate for a Trayvon kinda fate” – J. Cole
As I grew up, I never had a problem with white people, I actually thought most of them were okay, until I got to Spelman. The first part of African Diaspora and the World (ADW) was hard for me, because I had to learn about so much violence, oppression, modern day slavery, etc. I felt myself angry at the world. I felt myself angry at the cards that black people were and are continuing to be dealt. This includes the generational poverty most black people find themselves in, because of the generational wealth that white people got from capitalizing off slavery. If we’re being transparent here, since you are learning about me, I fear that although I will be a successful black woman, I’ll still be oppressed and denied in my workplace area and then ill go bonkers and lose my job.
4 Your Eyes Only
“For your eyes do you understand? For your eyes only.” – J. Cole
If you got to the end of this introduction. Cudos! (It was pretty long). This is just a little bit about me and the thoughts that wonder through my head, given any moment.
