Facing Adversity of Color by Indiria

Facing Adversity of Color by Indiria - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

Everyday I have to overcome adversity living in America. Living in America I am left feeling that I am not represented and not treated equally. This happens when others define who I am by the color of my skin. The color of your skin is not something you choose for yourself, but is is something you are categorized by, which is out of your control. How I overcome this adverse circumstance, is through skills I’ve acquired through experience.

One skill I’ve adapted is learning from my experience. Experience equals life lessons. When a situation brings forth misfortune due to how I look, I do not take is personal nor do I display a corresponding energy back to the person judging or harassing me. Instead, I adjust to these situations by thinking of how I can avoid these altercations ahead of time. For example, I would not return to the location I had a bad experience in if I realized that toxic environment would continue to persist. I also would not succumb to the afflictions placed on me and do my best to not engage and perpetuate the situation.

Another skill that has been successful in being victorious in unfavorable positions is having a mindset that the only thing I can control in every situation, including unfavorable ones, is my attitude and behavior. What is control? The dictionary tells us control is, “the power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events.” Maintaining a high level of self control throughout situations I’ve faced is obtainable through mindful mediation, therapeutic techniques, possessing the ability to be kind in spite of the situation and the ability to walk away.

Experience and the understanding of what I am in control of is the ultimate counter to the adversity faced in everyday life, because they both are powerful tools that equip you against being immobile no matter the situation. I have been in too many adverse situations to count, but with these tools I find myself pacifying more adverse circumstances.