Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away, and that in

some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great
nation with all their scintillating beauty.-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr. continued to fight for racial equality in our nation, something we
are still fighting for today. Its become our job, our passion as minorities to educate the closedminded population on false stereotypes. My contribution to Ohio States campus community will
consist of exposing my cultural differences and encouraging others to embrace their family
history. I want our community to be more accepting of others with various ethnic backgrounds
and I hope to achieve this through the Morrill Scholarship program.
Raised in a community lacking ethnic diversity, my broad interpretation and appreciation
of race was heavily influenced by my family. Skin color wasnt important to me as a child, but
became an interest of mine as I matured and began to question my own race. The first thing I
noticed was how different my family was from others. I remember learning at a young age that
my mother and her side of the family were black. So, that meant I was black as well. What I
didnt know was that not all African Americans have the same appearance. This was something
hard to comprehend considering my fair complexion. Curious about my family history, I wanted
to know what my parents had to say about my multicultural background. They were able to
clarify how my skin color is related to my history and how insignificant my appearance is in
being an ambassador of my culture.
Being a child of a polish father and a light-skinned black mother, friends had a hard time
believing I was half black. I would defend my family, trying to prove myself, but it was hard to
prove my mixed race by my ambiguous appearance. After many years of arguing my roots, I
began to realize how unnecessary it was to prove my blackness. What will I achieve by
verifying my race to a skeptic? I have been taught to embrace my differences, despite what
others might say. I know what I am made of and there is no need for me to prove my cultures to
someone who is looking for validation in my appearance. This lesson I continue to expand on,
from childhood to now, has given me reasons to proudly share the family I come from and let
others know they should do the same.
Learning about my own family has encouraged me to keep an open mind about various
races, cultures, and overall differences in personalities and beliefs. Ive had the privilege to meet
people of various backgrounds, who belong to cultures I didnt even know existed. So different,
so unique, so extraordinary, that it is hard not to appreciate such individuality. The amazing
things Ive learned from these relationships I incorporate into my own daily life with hope of
encouraging others to embrace their dissimilarities. Inspiring individuals to carry themselves
with confidence and pride, regardless of background, is what I hope to continue doing as a
student at The Ohio State University.
My background has given me opportunities to experience things not many people are
offered. March of 2012, my family and I were invited to the Smithsonian Museum in
Washington D.C. for the opening of the exhibit Slavery at Jeffersons Monticello: The Paradox

of Liberty. As a descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings, it was an honor for our
branch of the family to be featured in the exhibit; it marked the first time Jefferson and Hemings
biracial relationship and children were embraced by the national public. After being introduced
to families from different branches of the Jefferson tree, I noticed something remarkable.
Regardless if one family came from the same branch of the Jefferson tree, or from a completely
different branch, we all gathered united in a cause more important than the color of our skin.
Originally a concern of mine, my pale skin was not a measure of my family relatedness or
passion for the conjoining of separated pieces of history.
There was fear related to opening the Jefferson exhibit, concern that Jefferson and his
family would be judged and dishonored. It was unheard of for a white man (an inspirational icon
none the less) to have such a relationship with his slave. Revealing historical, factual information
such as this is a huge accomplishment in recent history. Jefferson and Hemings shared a
successful life together and proved to people today, that race should not dictate how one is able
to live.
I dont want to keep my family history a secret- rather share it with others. Being raised
by such a diverse, independent, outspoken family has inspired me to encourage others to take
pride in their background. My commitment of spreading pride and acceptance throughout
campus will be beneficial to Ohio States community. I am part of a generation that has the
ability to teach people how important it is to oversee racial, cultural, or socioeconomic
differences in order to function as one united nation. Someday, brotherhood will shine over our
great nation and it is my commitment to contribute to that dream.