I Left My Block, Now it’s Time to Leave Yours By A. C. Douglas

I can not lay claim to being a person classified as “well traveled.” I will however say that I have had the opportunity to visit quite a few cities in these United States, including most of the major ones, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Miami, and my new home, the Washington, D.C. metro area.

After living my entire life of 31 years in the state of North Carolina, I finally decided to make a move. Since my migration to D.C., I have learned something new about people’s perceptions of the “south” just about every day. I placed that in quotations because, for some reason, people seem to forget that Maryland and Virginia, the two places most D.C. claimers actually live, are located below the Mason/Dixon line.

Perhaps I have been a little sheltered living in my own little North Carolina “bubble.” Maybe I’ve forgotten or never continuously encountered stereotypes that go past the color line, the gender line, or the sexual orientation line. But now is seems that I am approached by comments and questions that test my patience on a DAILY basis, such as: “I have a friend from Columbia, SC…isn’t that near Goldsboro? ”I’m from North Carolina, not South Carolina. And I'm not from Goldsboro, which is not near Colombia anyway…but thanks for trying. “Oh, you are from ‘The Carolina’s’ right? I hope you can adjust to the winters up here.” Huh?? Where exactly is the state called “The Carolinas?” Besides that, North Carolina (an actual state) is one state away from D.C. Therefore, if it is 32 degrees in D.C., it is 32 degrees somewhere in North Carolina! Are you serious? “I’ve heard you can get a huge house for under $100k” Yeah, you can…if you live in the boonies or in the hood! “Yo, do you know Petey Pablo?”No, he does not roll in my circle…sorry. Everyone in North Carolina does not know each other. “Yeah, you have to be careful around here. It’s dangerous; not like where you’re from. People get shot every day here.”

Have you ever been to North Carolina?“No.”Then, how in the HAYELL do you know what I’m use to? And here’s a newsflash for you: people get shot everyday just about everywhere! Yes, those were all real comments I have heard and questions I have been asked from various people that I have met over the past couple of months. Seemingly intelligent people…people with dual degrees, and obviously people who have never left their block or corner. Apart from that, there are the underlying stereotypes. Stereotypes like I’m just a country black girl that knows nothing. My two degrees mean nothing because I’m from the “south.” My resume means nothing and my 8+ years of experience in my field mean nothing because I obviously moved here to D.C. since there are no opportunities for people of color in the “south.” Everyday I find myself trying to prove myself in meetings, correcting people in emails and trying to maintain an edge above everyone else to prove that I deserve my title.But what makes me even more upset is that all the questions asked, all of the assumptions and all of the stereotypes are coming from people of color whose family grew up and moved out of the “south.” Unfortunately, with that move, they carried all of the bad experiences from the past that they still hold on to and have passed them down through the generations. In 2007, people still think the “south” is the same way it was in 1967. Just like anywhere else, there are still issues, but there also is plenty of growth and opportunity. So I’m sure you are asking yourself, why did I move? I moved because it was time for me to make a move for my own personal development and the D.C. area is a great area to live in. It was in no way related to the “south.” I mean, technically, I still reside in the “south!” D.C. is truly a great place to live. Most of the people are great, the cultural events are fabulous, and lets not forget the greatest happy hours on earth!! But overall, my move to the area was a move toward bigger things and opportunities. I feel that although my home state is great, sometimes a move is what one needs to take a step up and in the right direction.

I love my hometown, love my neighborhood, and love that one day my kids (whenever I am blessed to have some) can attend the same schools I did and may even have some of the same teachers. North Carolina will always be home to me and all of my family, including the ones that have lived all over the world and eventually found their way back to their block.

Edited by Gerald Alston