Remember when Venus and Serena Williams rocked the tennis world? I remember watching so many tennis matches just because they were playing. I even tried to play the game...to no avail lol. The power and energy they showed on the courts every time they played was magnetic...drawing you into the TV for every serve. I remember when I worked at a gym about two years ago, my boss would let us change the channel in the office to their matches.
Remember Miss America? Miss America started in Atlantic City...5 min from my hometown...so it was always a big deal in South Jersey. I remember when the ladies would be gracing the boardwalk the week of the pageant, Donald Trump would be involved, the newspapers would be full of pictures and information leading up to the big day. We all know that Vanessa Williams was the first black Miss America, but I was only four at the time and had no idea of what was going on. What I do remember, is when there was another black Miss America crowned, not one, but two years in a row! That was insane! I think that was usually the only thing that kept us watching that pageant every year; just to see if a black girl won.
Where am I going with this? In the black community, or any minority community, it is a big deal when we succeed. I grew up in a predominately white area. I remember going to elementary school every year, coming home, and saying, "Mom, I'm the only black one in my class AGAIN." I just wanted ONE person to be in class that looked like me, but more importantly, had HAIR like me! I never understood why I could not wear my hair out and had to have a thousand plats or cornrolls in my hair. I was never surrounded by girls like me until I got to junior high, high school and college; unless we were at family gatherings or in Atlantic City or Pleasantville.
Even though I was the only black girl in a LOT of things growing up, it never stopped me from doing what I wanted to do. I was a cheerleader, the ONLY black cheerleader on the squad every year except one. I played basketball...the only black player on the team EVERY year and I played up to the 8th grade. I did gymnastics...my coach was black, so that was cool, but again I was the only one on my team. Soccer...the only one. Softball...same thing...youth group...same thing...
As you can see, being the only black girl and sometimes the only black person period, is nothing new to me. I do not feel my color defines who I am, but it definitely affects things that happen in my life and contributed to how my personality has developed. But to get to the point, I am about to be the first black female in an entire fire department. I sit back and think about it, and it just seems so surreal. Really? Why? Did no other black woman apply? or if they did...why didn't they make it? Was it because of racism or did they not qualify? But what I have learned, it does not matter why. I am it...her...the one to be granted this opportunity and to make history. I don't know what to say...but I'm ready and well prepared. All my steps in life...have been ordered for this position.
When I was looking for a babysitter after I got accepted into the academy, I met a black woman that told me she always wanted to be a firefighter. She said she took the test and missed it by one point, and never tried again. She was so excited as I told her I made it into the academy. I remember that moment like it just happened. I then went on to meet a retired black firefighter who told me a story of a black woman that applied several times, but was just never chosen to reach the interview stage. Hearing these stories makes my position feel more special...more necessary. Those two women need to see someone make it...and I want to make it just as much for them as for me. It was never a big deal to me to be the only black girl. However, in my young age and naiveness, it was always a big deal and I just never realized it until this year. I personally have always believed girls can play any sport such as football, be iron workers, police officers, CEO's, whatever they want to be. But it's different HEARING it, compared to seeing it or doing it.
How many little black girls are now playing tennis because of Venus and Serena? How many black women are in pageants after seeing Vanessa Williams? How many little black girls signed up for gymnastics after watching Domonique Dawes? The list goes on and on...
How many black girls are going to try out for the fire department just because they saw me make it? I have no idea, but if I can inspire just ONE black girl to apply, or realize they can do any profession they want, then my goal will be fulfilled. My prayer is not to retire "alone"...and so far God has answered all my prayers.
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