The month where autistics are (maybe) marginally visible by the outside world for who they are

April is an important month for the neurodiverse community. Traditionally referred to as ‘Autism Awareness Month,’ it serves as a way to celebrate and empower all of those who fall on the autism spectrum. However, in recent years, there’s been much deliberation among the autism community, as to how much of this ‘awareness’ is actually beneficial.

At this point in human evolution, most of us are, at least to some extent, aware of autism. The point is that autistics, worldwide, are still being stigmatized and denied the opportunities that are presented to those who are neurotypical, or not on the…

And I didn’t have to pay a dime

As someone who has one foot in the so-called ‘real world’ and one still in higher education, I often wonder why the chasm between these two worlds is so expansive. From where I stand today, I can firmly say that everything I’ve been able to accomplish over the past couple of months, I would have never been able to do at a relatively ‘prestigious’ university.

Now, while I, myself, have believed that college is the route to success from as long as I can remember, it’s shocking to compare the value that…

I don’t know about you, but I despised taking the ACT in high school. It was like this dreaded entity that hung over me from the time I entered high school. Teachers and counselors kept telling us how much this one exam mattered towards our college application, and I hardly recall a time when the ACT wasn't brought up (at least to some degree) in my classes.

The pressure entrance exams place on students is but one of many reasons for the increased push-back among students. It’s intimidating to think that one exam can make or break a student’s college…

Grab your heels and red lipstick because we’ll be fighting sexism in style

“I love living under a patriarchal system,” said no woman ever. What we say, how we behave, and our likes and dislikes are under great scrutiny from the minute we enter elementary school.

I mean, how many of us were taught at an early age that dolls are for girls, Legos are for boys? I know I was. And yet, I recall hating dolls with a passion, and having to play house was the worst nightmare I could think of. Yep. …

For as long as I can remember, I have always been told that I was “too sensitive” and “too emotional.” As the quiet, awkward kid in school, I frequently stifled the emotions that I had inside of me for fear of being made fun of. This was a recipe for disaster — I developed issues in discerning what I was truly feeling and what I was being expected to feel. I could not separate the real me from the mirage of me that was being painted by people’s expectations of me as a female.

In doing research on gender’s impact…

But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

No matter our social backgrounds, race, geographical location, or religion — COVID-19 singles out none. Our differences cease to identify us. We become one. Or, more succinctly, we rediscover our oneness. Because, at the heart of the matter, we are all on this journey of life at this point in time for a reason. So, let’s make the most of it.

Selflessness

“Sharing is caring” is something that I’ve heard a million times throughout PreK and Kindergarten. As an only…

Writing is more valuable than you think. Here’s why.

As a student at a technical school, I’m the odd one out. I love the humanities, the arts, and, above all, writing. Yes, your read that right. Writing. The bane of every tech students’ existence, except mine. I will admit there was a time (a very long time at that) that I hated writing (read my story here), but that’s because no one believed in my writing potential as an ESL student. Thankfully, I’m in a different position today and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Some find it intimidating to get thoughts down on paper. We become so…

On how the grading system has destroyed the whole point behind education — learning

All throughout my K-12 education, the main motivator for me was grades. There was virtually nothing that could or would stop me from getting the highest marks possible. Now, you may be wondering why all this even mattered to me at all.

Well, I’m sure many of us as kids were told how grades could make or break your chances of getting into a decent high school, then a top-ranking university, and, consequently, landing a good job. This mentality has been perpetuated throughout all of K-12 education, and, I, like most, have definitely fallen into that mentality as well. …