Widely known from Auburn's creed is the phrase “a spirit that is not afraid.” It's one I’ve grown to understand and love. Over the past two years, I've finally understood what it means to have a spirit that is not afraid. I've learned that the best way to do this is to use your voice. Everyone has a voice, and with a voice comes power.
During my time at Auburn, I’ve realized that most people here have the same personality. I would definitely identify Auburn as clique-ish and that isn't who I am. I embrace my difference, knowing who you are in a new space is key to comfortability. Being looked at as different obviously isn’t as great as it sounds, however, it comes with its benefits.
Pointing out the prominent "personality" of the university is hard for me, since I wouldn't want to stereotype anyone. However, it's imperative that I mention that the aesthetics I've seen through social media are prevalent. This does make the overall personality of Auburn seem less diverse and less open to change.
Aesthetically, most girls fit the 2021-2023 "Bama rush" trend; lots of neon colors, tennis skirts and trucker hats. I've noted most girls here like that aesthetic are typically in Greek life, which is completely fine.
I've had an experience where girls with this aesthetic stole glances at me and were giggling. Granted, they could've been laughing at anything, but it mostly seemed to be about my appearance that day. Most likely, I was wearing a shirt and leggings, which is pretty common here.
Similarly, there's a prominence of racial and sexual discrimination in Auburn as well. Hate crimes are occur on campus multiple times a semester, which, shouldn't really be happening at this age. These crimes are not only being committed by students, but by regular city citizens and it truly shows a lack of maturity.
My freshman year, I took engineering introduction classes for my minor. Understandably, STEM fields are typically male dominated, so I expected to be one of maybe five women in my classes, if I got lucky.
Being a Black woman in a predominately White environment is tricky to navigate and especially in new spaces, when I was a freshman, I found it intimidating. Eager to learn and make friends, I went in with no expectations and still found myself hurting from my peers isolating me because of a possible assumption they had.
Intentional or not, I felt like I shouldn't have been in the classes I was in, but that hasn't stopped me. If anything, it's pushed me forward, I've come out of the situation stronger.
Naturally, we gravitate to people who are like us, whether that be looks or personality. However, I've noticed that the "cliques" created here have become more toxic. Really, it seems this toxicity, relates to people that they deem "weird." Which this opinion really seems to just be due to a lack of maturity and a lack of exposure to people that are different.
In no way do I find myself wanting to be polemic against my university — or the people who work for or attend it — however, the treatment I’ve received for being “different” has not gone unnoticed, and frankly that treatment needs to stop.
The first way for many to stop this high and mighty attitude found here is to dismantle whatever the status quo is.
Speaking up for what you believe in may at times cause animosity. However, the mindset you have towards animosity will always be what pushes you the furthest. Speaking up for yourself and others is a way to break the cult of personality that is Auburn University.
We constantly tell celebrities to “use their platform” when world-changing events occur. So really, what’s stopping you or me from using a platform to speak out for things we’re truly passionate about?
Having an opposing opinion is something that sets you apart at Auburn. It may be scary at first, but thinking for yourself leads to new experiences and lessons. It leads you to others who feel the same way.
Having a group of like minded people around you can lead you to feel more connected, not only with Auburn, but the person you're becoming in college. It allows you and your group to foster a common understanding, while also allowing each other to still express their opinion if it doesn't align with everyone's.
Whether your platform is a friend group, a class or even a campus newspaper, it’s important to know that you have to explore tough topics. Within the past year, I’ve become “quietly passionate” based on the people I was around. However, in the past few months, I’ve left the quiet passion behind, and I’ve embraced speaking.
I've taken ethics and political science classes to fill elective credits as well as to break up some of the monotony of English classes. These classes are mostly where I've noticed my quiet passion growing.
In my ethics class, we explored topics that are hard to discuss. My teacher for the class was often sick, so our teaching assistant would lead class discussions if we met for class. We had these discussions in pairs, and then discussed with the class. My partner, commonly switched due to the TA's choice, typically agreed with me.
However, the real issue was the class discussion. My opinions were influenced on being one of maybe five girls in the class, which probably helped me think through different topics, such as abortion, different than my male peers.
Our discussions often got heated because responding to a male opinion was a slippery slope sometimes, because I felt as though they didn't explore the different solutions or opinions on the topic. These commonly turned into our TA having to calm the discussions and possibly, once or twice, make me leave class because of the way I chose to respond to someone.
This story is something I look back on and laugh about, and I've learned passion can be contained. However, this time last year, I completely decided to shy away from having an opinion due to the ridicule I often saw in that class. I've learned that open passion is okay; its all about the approach you take.
I recommend exploring quiet passion, and slowly growing into your voice. Figuring out what you're passionate about can really be hard, and picking which battle to fight is even harder.
Quiet passion is really the first step into a world of figuring out who you are. I remember when I stopped doing the pledge of allegiance. It was my senior year, and I was sent to the office everyday, but I was making a point to do something I believed in.
Keeping the mindset of doing something I believed in, and doing it to make a point has shaped me into who I am today. This mindset has fostered intention not only in actions, but in words as well. Ultimately, it's brought me to have a spirit that is no longer afraid.
In the words of Pharrell Williams, “You gon’ make it, and when you make it, keep the same perspective. Still keep the same hunger.”
Having an opinion has frequently gotten me in trouble. In the same, it’s given me so many opportunities. Trust me, being the Black sheep comes with its perks as well. Leaving quiet passion behind and openly having an opinion has led me to ask hard questions and explore tough topics.
I’ve learned that the only person to get in your way is you. Nothing can stop you from speaking and growing. Your voice is the first step to success, and your voice opens doors. In no way am I encouraging you to be an extrovert but think for yourself. Use your platform, speak out and see where it takes you.
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Brychelle Brooks, junior majoring in public and professional writing with a minor in information systems, has been with The Auburn Plainsman since August 2023. She previously served as the Campus Reporter and Opinion Editor. She is currently serving as the Newsletter Editor.
