My SDLC Experience
I've been back in New York for over a week now, and I've been thinking about writing this post since then. I guess I realized that by actually saying "My SDLC Experience" means that it's really over...at least for this year.
So, for those who don't know, SDLC is the Student Diversity Leadership Conference that is held every year in conjunction with the People of Color Conference (PoCC). And before anyone gets their britches in a bunch, let me clarify something: these conferences are not only for people of color. If someone told you that, they lied. It's for EVERYONE...that's why it's about diversity. And diversity isn't all about race and ethnicity, either, it encompasses so much: race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, age, sexual orientation, and family structure (even though that's not talked about so much).
Originally, I wasn't going to apply to SDLC...I didn't fully understand it and I just wasn't interested. But my friend, Brianna, while she was filling out her application, was like "You should try it. It's so much fun" or something to that matter. I just shrugged and said "maybe". That same day, I ran into the Director of Diversity and Second Head of School. She stopped me and asked if I was going to apply. I told her that I honestly didn't know (mind you, it's past the deadline), and she was all like "It's a lot of fun...it's a great experience...the school pays for it..." blah blah blah. So I was like "I'll think about it." Then...the next day, the Upper School principal called me over in the cafeteria and was like "Have you handed in your SDLC application yet?" At this point, I'm just like...this creepy and the forces of the universe definitely want me to go (or all these people have been talking about me behind my back, but I quickly got over that). So I was just like "Not yet."
So I completed the application in an hour and sent it in. I found out in November, I believe, that I had been chosen to represent the school. I was mildly excited...I still didn't really understand what it was.
So, let's jump head to actually leaving.
I was much more excited the week before and that week. We left Wednesday, the 5th, around noon and headed to LaGuardia Airport. Blah, blah, blah...we went through security and of course I set off the random alarm. Anyway, we had a rush layover in Charlotte, and then we landed in Houston, Texas.
Now, just as a back story, Texas has been my favorite state since Kindergarten. It's a superficial and shallow reason, to be honest, but it's one of those things you just don't let go of. I used to always sit on Texas on the states rug, and in 5th grade, I did my states report on Texas. But I've never been. Well, that's changed.
So, we have dinner together and go to bed super late. Whatevs...the next morning we have breakfast and we go to the opening ceremonies. Those were fun, and then the adults left. SDLC was officially beginning.
At first, Rodney, one of the head guys, said to us (a rough estimate from my memory: "You all came here for a reason. 3 of you came here to have a conversation with me." So three girls got up and they poured their hearts out (I cried, of course). And then we did a silent movement thing. Basically, they went through the list of cultural identifiers and their subcategories; if one of them applied to you, you stood. You had to make note of who was standing and who was not and why it was important. After we went through that, we were dismissed into our family groups. I was in the Phylicia Rashad group (the wife from the Cosby show).
In our family groups, we did a plethora of things: we played games, had discussions, did activities and had home groups - about 6 or 7 of us in smaller groups. One thing that really moved me, among other things, was the ending activity. Basically, our family facilitators (Guy and Wyne (pronounced Wine)), lit four candles and put them in the middle of the floors and turned off the lights. They were like "This is the time for you to ask us anything you want and to say whatever you would like"...it got really emotional. People started telling these really personal and emotional stories...I balled for 85% of the time.
I can't put it into words how amazing an experience it was. It literally changed my life...and I don't say that about many things. I am DEFINITELY applying next year.
Well, I guess by ending this post I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that it's actually over.
I'll hopefully post more things in the future.
Thanks for reading,
Ahtiya