The article reflects on the author's experiences transitioning from Brooklyn to Columbia University in Manhattan in 1981. At 21, she was navigating life as an art history student in an all-boys school, a stark contrast from her upbringing in a female-centric family. While living with relatives in Brooklyn, her mother enforced financial responsibility by requiring her to pay rent, illustrating a commitment to independence. The narrative intertwines cultural reflections on gender roles from her West Indian background, particularly with respect to expectations of women's dignity and economic self-sufficiency.
Leaving Brooklyn for Manhattan marked not only a geographic change but also a significant personal transformation as I wrestled with my identity and upbringing.
Columbia University, an all-boys institution at the time, was a revelation. It contrasted sharply with my previous life in a female-dominated household.
My mother insisted on independence, mandating that I pay rent to my aunt, emphasizing the importance of self-sufficiency and financial responsibility.
Growing up with influences of a West Indian culture molded my understanding of relationships, particularly regarding women's roles and the expectations surrounding them.
Collection
[
|
...
]