Pomp and Circumstance

I’m proud of you

Young Thug: Proud of You

As the school year ends for many in the United States, the education systems and institutions in place would normally celebrate their graduates with grand ceremonies: with pomp and circumstance on repeat, parents and loved ones crying tears of joy, and long yet insightful commencement speeches. I remember graduating high school in 2017, and how it felt to reach that incredibly important milestone. I remember being excited to start my education at Howard, and more than anything, I was excited to make my final exit out of high school. Walking across the stage meant being recognized for the hard work, being celebrated by your loved ones, and stepping into a new chapter of your life. 

This year, however, was not a great one for the graduates. The COVID-19 Pandemic has not only cut physical learning for students, but a physical celebration for those who have completed their education. High schools students, undergraduates, and even PhD candidates were not given the opportunity to celebrate an incredible milestone the same way. While this is sad for many students, I can speak to the students whom I know at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who have had this great moment stripped away from them. 

Many HBCUs like my school, Howard University, or others like Tuskegee University, Florida A&M University, or Winston-Salem State University each represent a very unique population of young adults who come from various backgrounds to gain an excellent education. I have many friends who are international students, whose families have sacrificed much to allow their children a better chance. I know many students who are first generation college students, whose academic achievement represents the hopes, dreams, and prayers of those who came before them. COVID-19 took a moment for them to be recognized in a way that represents the effort they put in. 

I was very relieved when I saw social media posts and seeing news broadcasts that presented a new opportunity. Many new options emerged: everything from virtual graduation ceremonies put on by different universities, to photo shoots from students in their caps and gowns. While these methods were a bright addition to the otherwise dreary news I was accustomed to seeing, I feel like the students whom I know weren’t receiving their proper recognition. This is when I found the Chase Bank #ShowMeYourWalk challenge.

Social media has always been a powerful force among the youth. It allows for exposure of small businesses, brings to light unheard stories, and provides a voice to those once without one. The #ShowMeYourWalk challenge specifically congratulated HBCU graduates with special guests as speakers, students being recognized, and of course, lots of pictures. What I loved most about the virtual ceremony was the unity shown by Black celebrities to congratulate HBCU students on their accomplishment, and encourage them to continue in their growth and development. Steve Harvey, Serena Williams, Kevin Hart, and even President Barack Obama gave shout outs to the schools, students, and educators that made the dream of our ancestors possible. So while the COVID-19 pandemic took away a traditional ceremony, what it allowed for is an opportunity to show even greater unity.