MemoirPart II: Identity and Individuality

V.                Segregation

Louisville, KY, is my hometown, and it is where I first understood the concept of segregation. The West End of the city became the designated area for the working-class Black community. In the 1970s. Many white residents began to leave the city, allowing Black families to move in and make it their home. Initially, the neighborhood was filled with people who looked like me. However, this changed around the tenth grade when bussing policies introduced students from outside the area into our schools, resulting in a more diverse student body.

VI.             High School

It was 1975, and I was in tenth grade. I vividly remember sitting in the middle of my Geometry class, feeling like a fish caught on a hook. Isolated and alone, I sank deep into my seat. The disconnect I felt from both the teacher and my classmates extinguished the passion I once had for math. My siblings, Anthony and Sonya, were also bused to Pleasure Ridge. After completing high school at Pleasure Ridge Park, I was ready for summer and eager to find my next adventure.

VII.          Jefferson State Vocational School

I chose to further my education at Jefferson State Vocational School. A decision that came to me unexpectedly, possibly shaped by the time period I lived in. Upon finishing the course, the instructor presented me with a certificate that recognized my typing skills.

While I often heard conversations about my peers aiming for university education, I felt discouraged from taking that route. Instead, my certificate boasted that I typed sixty words per minute (W.P.M), a figure I never truly reached; my actual speed was closer to forty-five. During the 1980s, there was little encouragement for Black girls to pursue higher education.

VIII.  Jefferson Community College

After finishing vocational school, my next step was attending Community College, where I focused on Bookkeeping and Data Processing. However, after taking a course in computer programming, I discovered it wasn't the right path for me. While at JCC, I developed a friendship with Harvey, who introduced me to a degree program in the School of Education at the University of Louisville, concentrating on Guidance and Counseling. I found myself uncertain about how this became my next endeavor.

This experience set a precedent in my life: staying receptive to new opportunities. I compared myself to a ship sailing the ocean, with sails unfurled to harness the next gust of wind. I embraced the winds of change with little conscious thought. Often relying on my instincts and letting others guide my path. After spending two years at Community College, deciding to enroll at the University of Louisville seemed like a natural progression.

IX. University of Louisville

Education sparked a newfound passion within me, thrusting me into a realm that was both exciting and unfamiliar. As a student, I found that learning came naturally. European History was a required course for many degrees. While attending lectures at the University of Louisville, I listened to a professor praise Europe’s superiority. I couldn’t help but think, "This doesn’t resonate with my experience." It felt like just another bitter pill to swallow. I reminded myself to remain quiet and not challenge authority. A lesson deeply embedded in me. This moment was transformative; I longed to discover more about myself.

X. Psychology

Psychology was an entirely new realm for me. Yet it was a requirement for my Guidance and Counseling coursework. I enrolled in a course titled Abnormal Psychology, which fascinated me as I observed the manifestations of madness in the lives of others. I neatly compartmentalized all this information about the human psyche. Eager to fill it with more intriguing details. After completing my junior year, I found myself contemplating my next steps during the summer.