All my life, I have lived in the city. My norm wasn't driving to and from all destinations, or miles of nothingness and endless chains of restaurants and stores down long stretches of highways and malls.
My norm was taking four flights of steps to get to my apartment with ten bags of groceries in hand, it was walking everywhere, it was city schools that barely take up a compact city block. Though many would find this stressful or not picture perfect, I found it a comfort zone where I can never find myself not living.
Growing up in the city, I have seen and mostly, heard it all. A majority of America would turn their heads at the thought of what I consider, comfortable.
My comfort sounds aren't the crickets and the looming silence of the swishing trees. My comfort is the beeping horns, the chatter of people off the street, and the roaring sirens of the fire engines and cop cars. It's what makes me feel at home.
Growing up in the city, I am accustomed to other cultures and religions. From preschool, it was never just one race, religion or background. My mother taught me the struggles of what others go through on a daily basis.
I was never hidden from the truth or shed away from a realistic image of America. I saw the heavy endeavor's people can take on and at a young age, I may not have understood then. But now, I feel it gives me an advantage to not be fearful of any circumstance life may throw at me.
As I take on the new chapter in my life in the fall, I feel encouraged, not afraid to explore my city campus in D.C. For many, it will be a challenge, getting used to the life of living in the city but for me, it's just another day of my life in the city.
