Evolving Perspectives: An Unforgettable Lesson by Janice

Evolving Perspectives: An Unforgettable Lesson by Janice - April 2022 Scholarship Essay

Oakland is synonymous with high crime rate, gun violence, and poverty, earning its reputation as a dangerous city. When my family moved to the city, my parents repeatedly warned my siblings and me to be wary of our surroundings, which created a habit of scanning my environment for danger. Accustomed to the notion of “stranger danger,” I kept to myself. Since the age of six, I constantly fell asleep to the sound of gunshots and sirens of police cars. My city is also home to many homeless folks. Thus, I subconsciously feared homeless individuals who may act violently due to mental health illness or intoxication.

When volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, I realized my preconceived notions about homeless individuals were wrong. Ringing the doorbell to St. Vincent, I hesitated to engage with community members and kitchen staff because of my mother’s echoing warnings. However, during meal service, I connected with a homeless volunteer, Frank, who shared stories about his obstacles working at a young age to provide for his family. As I got to know him better, I learned that he left home due to overwhelming stress and eventually found himself on the streets. In spite of his rough beginnings, the community of homeless people and volunteers he found at St. Vincent encouraged him to resume school. He participated in the Kitchen of Champions program, which teaches basic culinary skills to low-income, re-entry, and at-risk people who have difficulty finding employment. This program is like a rope, holding people up, and guiding them to climb their way out to escape poverty.

His personal narrative was not only inspirational but also a lesson to me to not categorically define a community based on stereotypes. The experience made me realize that the compassion, kindness, and open-mindedness of the Oakland community are what truly define the city. The people at St. Vincent, including the homeless people who come for food and the kitchen staff primarily of low-income backgrounds, all come from diverse walks of life and deserve to tell their unique stories before they are dismissed based on ignorant preconceptions.

Now, I’m proud to be a product of Oakland. In this city, I had the opportunity to meet incredible individuals like Frank, who carry stories of resilience and strength. From engaging in conversations with folks who may be different from myself, I have widened my perspective and learned to reflect on my personal biases. I no longer fear homeless people when I walk by them. Frank helped me understand that each individual has a unique story and deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. My encounter with Frank has shown me the importance of having an open mind because it allows for personal growth.