Skip to content

First Generation University

  • Home
  • About Me
July 14, 2017 / Featured

Put Your Own Mask On First

This morning I attended a wonderful ceremony for students graduating from a summer program intended to develop their interest in health care careers. Students from a variety of universities came together to take courses in math, statistics, physics, and chemistry. However, the end of the ceremony left me most saddened after the student speaker delivered his remarks.

The student who closed the ceremony was well liked, affable, and thoughtful. He had finished in the top five of the class. At the very end of his speech he recognized one of his classmates who had aided him with his studies, and often stayed up late at night helping him understand the material. She did not finish in the top five.

I have seen this phenomenon over and over again. Community involvement has been so ingrained into black women’s lives that we often sacrifice ourselves in order to be sure we all get ahead. Yet, as the flight attendants tell you before takeoff on an airplane, you must put your mask on first before you can assist someone else. You must take care of your own health and well-being before being there for others.

Self-care has become a buzzword in many spaces, but self-care does not always have to mean luxurious bubble baths. Self-care can also mean prepping for your own exams alone until you feel sufficiently prepared to do well.

I’m sure the young lady will do well as she pursues her medical dreams, but I hope she also recognizes that she has to take the time out to help herself first. Keeping that in mind will ensure she is truly lifting as she climbs and not being stepped past.

Post navigation

Previous Post:

What about the Xennial?

Next Post:

Being Where We Are Wanted

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • The Post is Worth Evening Movie Ticket Prices
  • Holiday Blues for Students
  • Being Where We Are Wanted
  • Put Your Own Mask On First

Recent Comments

  • Shonda Goward on Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • Dave on Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • Brenna on Black Panther is A Raisin in the Sun Revisited
  • Kat on Being Where We Are Wanted
  • khu do thi van phuc on What We’re Up To

Archives

  • February 2018
  • November 2017
  • September 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • May 2015
  • December 2014
  • June 2014
  • March 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • July 2013
  • May 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • October 2012
  • August 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • February 2011
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • June 2009

Categories

  • Featured
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries RSS
  • Comments RSS
  • WordPress.org
© 2018 First Generation University