The following is an interview that took place March 9, 2016. The purpose of the interview was for me, the interviewer, to give Smith College students who identify as Queer or Questioning people of color an outlet to speak freely about their unique identities. After the interview I ask them to take me to a place on campus that really matters to them, that really overcomes them with fondness and positivity. My fourth & fifth participants: Asha & Tavorsia<3
TY: Why did you choose to be a part of this project? TV: You asked me to. Yeah. That’s it A: Oh yeah, also-- TY: Because I asked you to? (A & TV giggle) A: Umm, I think, well you, when you explained it to me you’re reasoning for asking us was because you thought that like we embodied, just like, young...people, that we are in a relationship and so I thought it was a cool idea and I wanted to do it. Participate. TY: Why did you choose Smith? TV: Smith holds a lot of values that my high school held, well, holds, so I was really interested in the small classroom sizes and community of, I guess, not judging in a way, and I don’t know, just being who you are, whatever you think that is. A: Yeah, I mean for me, I think, also, my high school is very similar to Smith and I saw a lot of the same values in Smith as I did with my high school. It just seemed like it would be a good fit. Small classroom sizes and just the idea of being able to have like a closer relationship to professors and its also a good school. TY: What are you focusing on in college? TV: Umm, I don’t know how to word it. Shaping myself to be the woman that I want to be and embracing whatever comes along with it, like figuring out me and what I like and what I don’t like. That’s basically it. Getting to know me more. A: Yeah, I agree. I also think like working to be responsible and doing things on my own. I think that’s something I’ve been really trying hard to achieve and be good at. But also, you know, to get an education. Make friends, yeah. TY: Hmmm, kind of the same thing but what are your interests? Like all around. TV: I like to be active. Whatever that means. I like to be outside sometimes. I like to be inside sometimes. I like to sleep. I like to eat. I enjoy the company of my friends. I like good food. Oh, hobbies, oh (giggles) Oh I like hanging out with my friends. I like learning, I enjoy learning new things. A: Honestly, I don’t really know. I like laying in bed and watching Grey’s Anatomy (laughs) Netflix and chillin’ in the cool when the room is nice and cool and the lighting is just perfect. Natural sunlight just beaming through. Um, yes (all laugh) Um yeah, watching TV, relaxing, and you know, it keeps me from doing work, ‘cause that’s what I’m here to do but you know? I enjoy just chilling…..and eating. Hence I got mad snacks. I’m stacked up. TY: That’s impressive. A: Thank you. I just..yeah. TY: How do you fully identify? Like nationality, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion, anything. TV: I am an African-American, I don’t know about the sexuality part yet, I don’t think its definite, I don’t know. I’m a Christian. A: (to TV) Female, pronouns. TV: Oh yeah, I’m a female. A woman. I forgot. A: You forgot Mmhmmm. Umm yeah I think similarly the sexuality thing doesn’t have fine lines yet. I don’t think I fit into any boxes that you can check off at the moment (giggles) But yeah I identify as an African-American female and I’m also Christian. Yayya. TY: Who do you look up to? Who is your ideal human being? A: Oooo TY: I love-Everybody get’s so shocked by that question. A: This is-This is deep. TV: My ideal human being. Can it be a mixture of people? TY: Mhhmmmm TV: Well, I think, my mom. Her strength I would hope one day to embody. This is strange but there’s this girl at MIT and she’s a genius. She’s like a computer science major and she like tap dances and she’s like a ballerina. If I can be like strong and, what’s it called, diverse- A: In terms of? TV: Everything. A: Okay. I don’t know about naming a person. I mean yeah I can say my mom too but I feel like just in general if I could build a person I want that person to be strong, caring, loving, compassionate, really into their family, and creative. I don’t know. That’s a lot of things but to be good at all of them, embody all of them would be ideal. TV: So you don’t know anybody like that? A: I don’t know. Its hard to be good at all of those things. TY: Hmmm, this is kind of like the same thing, but its where do you see yourself in representation, like who do you see in the media most fully represents your identities? TV: (sneeze) A: That’s a hard question. TV: Like a celebrity? TY: Yeah. Like anybody that you’ve seen (hand motion) somewhere. TV: I don’t know. A: I don’t know. Cause there’s a strong lack of…. TV: Yeah. I just feel like I find something I don’t like in everyone that’s mainstream. A: I mean I’m just thinking like African-American females..No one I’m thinking of I see myself in them. (giggles) Okay, I’m thinking of Beyonce (giggles) I’m thinking Viola Davis, Kerry Washington- TV: Taraji P. Henson (laguhs) A: (laughs) Alicia Keys. Nicki Minaj. TV: When Viola Davis was talking about integrity, I agree with that but I can’t relate to her life and her struggle. A: Right, or her experiences. TV: Or her experiences. A: Yeah, characteristics or personality traits of theirs are relatable because at the end of the day if you’re just an African-American female there will be somethings in common. I don’t know, to break the different identities that I possess down and to try to see that in people in the media, I don’t see it. TV: No, I don’t. Nada. TY: What makes you happy? A: Awww, Can’t be like Viola Davis and be like ‘My 5 year old daughter and my husband.’ What makes you happy? TV: Umm, my nephew, all of my nieces and nephews. I enjoy children so I like children. A: (giggles) TY: Okay that’s weird. I enjoy talking to children. I think they’re interesting. What makes me happy? Food, good food. Being home, and like the comfort of my family. Recently Bio. Bio’s real. I like it. It’s cool. A: You’re a loser. TV: (heavy sigh) A: Um, my family, my friends (to TV) You (smiling for a sec) I don’t know. I think that’s it. (giggles) That’s my answer. TV: I like being comfortable. A: Yeah, I mean I think that’s what it’s all about. That’s what I find, between my family and friends, just comfortable in my home. Yeah. TY: Usually when I have one person I do three words to describe yourself, so three words to describe the other? A: Oooo. TV: So I would say Asha is Loveable, Funny, and Compassionate about things that she likes. A: I was gonna say that for you. TV: (giggles) A: Okay, Tavorsia, you are Loving, Passionate, and Chill. TV: Thanks. A: (giggles) Yeah, you’re really chill. Don’t got time for the bullshiiiii...Yeah, those are my three words. TY: What motivates you? TV: Ummm, my little sister. I should explain why. She, I think, wants to be just like me, like everything she does, just like me. And growing up we didn’t have, we didn’t grow up in is good neighborhood, so I’m just trying to teach her that there are other ways of being and doing than what she’s being exposed to, what we are being exposed to. A: Yeah, I think my mom, but especially my family in general just want to see me do well and succeed and be good and be able to celebrate the good so I think that just motivates me and encourages me to, like, be good, stay focused, and just try to do well, in school, in life. TY: Can you check if it’s recording? A: Yeah, its at 16 minutes! TY: Alriiight, so why did you choose this space? A: (lip smack) I think I personally have worked really hard for this space (giggles). TV: (giggles) A: Um, I had a roommate left but it’s been a long journey. And I feel like I finally, like, I deserved this dingle (giggle) ‘Cuz it’s just been a lot, ya know? And I think my room has always been, even though Tavorsia has a single, my room has always been the room that feels more homely and better, in a sense, than hers and we both have felt that way. (to TV) You have felt that way? So I think now that it’s a dingle it has made things better. Even though we sleep on one side of the bed on this doublebed. TV: She won’t move over. A: It’s ‘cuz she tries to get away. We either sleep on the same bed or two separate beds. Like, there’s no in-between. ‘Cuz like if we’re separate I find a way to get to her. TY: Awwww- A: -Noo, not even in a cute way I just need-- TY: Noo, that’s cute. TV: Noo, not even in a cute way. A: (giggles) Oh my gosh. I think it’s just, I roll over and I find you. And then Boom. This dingle, we deserve it. I’m sad that it came at a time where school is almost over, and I wish I could like decorate and stuff ‘cuz I know it’s gonna be waste now. So I’ll start again next year, start it over next semester. My room will be lit. You’ll have to come back. TY: Nahhnahnahnahnah A: Everyone keeps sayin that. My room’s gonna be so nice! This isn’t even my full potential of my home decorating. And no one wants to come back. TY: I may. You make it sound good, I may. A: It’s gonna be good, shiet. I’mma hang up some lights, some posters, come picture frames, oh yeah babey. TY: One more. What would you tell someone stumbling upon this post? The intention of this is to go on tumblr, so if someone’s just scrolling like who are these people? A: Young, gifted, and black! (all giggle) TV: I feel like I want to say a quote but I don’t have a quote right now. A: (giggles) Oh, we got quotes. What would you say? I would tell them to make good choices. TV: I would tell them- A:- Make good choices. Be you, be great. TV: Go with the flow and allow things to happen- A: -To Fall in place naturally. TV: That’s not what I’m sayin’. A: Alright (giggles) Dang. TV: Allow things to happen. Accept the things you can’t change. Change the things you can. A: Can we read a quote? We do a quote of the day, TY: Both of you? A: Yeah, so over winter break we would send each other like a quote a day and for Valentine’s Day Tavorsia got a mason jar filled with quotes so why don’t we just pick one? Oh, that one was the long one. Oh that’s a good one. TV: Mmmhmm. That can be the closing quote. A: You read it. TV: Nah, nah. A: “I believe that two people are connected at the heart, and it doesn't matter what you do, or who you are or where you live; there are no boundaries or barriers if two people are destined to be together. Never above you. Never below you. Always beside you.” TY: Who is that by? A: Says Julia Roberts. We can find more out in Google later. TY: Cool then that is the end. A: The end. [End Recording]
Asha is a First Year who plans to major double major in Psychology and Africana Studies at Smith College. Along with being passionate about her friends and family, she is equally passionate about learning, supporting meaningful causes, children, poetry, fashion, and photography. Follow her on Instagram: @ashahinson
Tavorsia is a sophomore at Smith college majoring in Neuroscience and minoring in Education. When she’s not playing basketball, her hobbies include interacting and engaging with children, hanging with her friends and eating. Follow her on any social media: @tavorsiatalley
[Blurb about the interviewer: My name is Tyahra Angus, my personal blog is http://bitchpudin.tumblr.com/. I like when people pronounce my name right, so think Tiara, but funky. I am a Jamaican, American, Pansexual, writer, singer, poet/anything I can get my hands on type of artist, Smith College 16′ focusing on English and Africana studies with a concentration in Queer Black Literature and Art. My blog gives you a better sense of me: I only reblog self-identified black women, in all our uniqueness, all our beauty. These two women have very ambitious futures and have the talent and capacity to succeed at anything they put their mind to. Very glad we had the time to get really real<3]