Take a look around our class and acknowledge our differences.
From as little as one extra freckle, to as big as race, religion, and skin
color. What are you? Black, white, Asian.... Who are you? If your answer is the
same to the previous question, then you must learn from my friend. That is why
I entitled this "Lessons Learned." I learned, indirectly, from one
who wasn't always my favorite "mentor."
Lessons Learned
Seeing him with Evan, a friend who has been their since the
day I was born. I didn't know what to do, so I just stared deep into his eyes,
and he did the same. Some of you know my story; you know where I come from,
grew up, who I was and thought I needed to change because of
"Charlie." Well, now I can use his real name, Ariel.
While on vacation in Tortola, I visited Nanny Cay to catch
up with some friends. Then I see strolling in with my boy Evan, is Ariel. The
one who called me stupid because I was black, and it wasn't until eighth grade
where I realized I'm not just a black kid, I'm Jordan Cline. Anyway, back to
the stare. How could I not do it? I told people if I saw him again, I would
thank him, even though some said I should take him out. I broke the stare when
I stood up to go by the beach and think when my fruit punch fell on me and I
dramatically fell to the ground. I just dashed to the bathroom in total
embarrassment.
Who knew this was the time and place I would see him again?
I thought it would be in 30 years over lunch or something. Guess who walks
in...? Yep, that's right, him. The bathroom, really? That is my vacation story.
Ariel quietly whispered, "I'm sorry--"
"You know, I don't want to hear the 'I'm Sorry' crap
after the years of hell you put me through!" I retorted.
Ariel murmured, "I know, I just..."
"It's too late because, in all those years, I processed
the sheer words that came out of your mouth. I became the person many people
love today. I became Jordan and don't think you're going to walk in here and
apologize for making me work my ass off everyday to prove to you, someone who
just shows up in my life, that I am not anyone's subordinate."
Awkward turn of events, right? I'm still not sure if that
was my rage and a punch yet using words instead of firsts, or if it was an
apology. But either way, I walked right past Ariel, standing there with his
head down, and said, "I should thank you. I clearly wasn't the one living
in vain all of these years..." And I walked out.
Back at the table, no one aware of the occurrences in the
bathroom, Ariel and I got caught in another stare. I knew deep down, he was
sorry and gained respect for the new me. We truly saw "eye-to-eye." I
can't say it was the way I planned it to happen, but hey, it turns out that he
got my number from Evan and we texted for hours on end.
So, when someone asks me how were my holidays. Let's just
say, I ran into a long-lost friend. A friend who made me implant the courage to
meet all of you; some of you who are the closest to a true brother or sister. I
love all of you because your uniqueness brings this class together. So don't
ever forget that in life. Being different certainly has been the best gift of
my life. It was a rough ride, literally it was rough and awkward boat ride, but
the lesson came across finally, and now I take it to heart and tell the ones
around me.
