Written by SherAaron Hurt
Remember the story of the ugly duckling? The duck that was born and looked different from all of his siblings? He was shunned by his entire community, even his own parents. Why, you ask? Because his feathers were a different color from all of the others. The poor little duck. He had no control over being born differently. Nor was he able to change where he was born. Do you feel bad for him?
Now let us apply that same concept to humans. Have you ever been shunned because you were different? Knowing the demographics of Michigan Tech and the Keweenaw, most may not experience being an ugly duckling due to skin color, but what about for other things? Maybe your gender, your class, your wealth, your weight, the car you drive, the clothes you wear or even because of where you live.
Have you ever been on the other side? Being the community that was shunning the ugly duckling? It is so easy for us to fall in the trap of the ugly duckling. I’m sure we have all been the ugly duckling once in our lifetime. Moreover, we may have been the community that made the poor little fellow sad.
Being a student at Michigan Tech as well as a member of the community, I have been a victim of the ugly duckling. Shunned, because I do not look like the people in my community.
Imagine, getting into your car and having the passenger of the car stick their tongue out at you. After arriving to their destination, which is directly across the street from where you are parked, they come back to the street only to do it again and make a derogatory statement referencing your race. Not knowing how to feel after this action because for so long you have been an advocate of the community in which you live and never wanting to think negatively of the environment because for the past four years you have made it your home.
Unlike the ugly duckling in the well known fairytale, I had a choice to choose where I wanted to go to college. However, when it comes to my smooth milk chocolate complexion, I did not have an option. Being out-casted, shunned, discriminated against or laughed at because I look different from the majority is definitely what happened to my friend the ugly duckling and to me. Never in my wildest dream would I think that I could relate to an old classic fairytale.
But remember! That is not how the story ends. The ugly duckling finds other ducks like him and grows into a beautiful swan. In fact, he is so gorgeous that he is envied by all – even the ones who made fun of him. Going through those harsh harassment as a young duckling only prepared him to be strong and even more beautiful as a swan.
The same goes for us “ugly ducklings” of our communities. This is not the end of our story. We may face hardships, prejudices and discrimination, but it is only preparing us for when we have our moments to shine. We too, shall find the “other ducks” and fit in. After receiving our degrees from the accredited Michigan Technological University, we will shine and be envied by all.
No longer being identified as the “ugly duckling” but metamorphosing into a beautiful/handsome intelligent swan!
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