#i2amru (I, Too, Am Reinhardt) Volume 1 Number 1 | Page 42

This side of the family was
not as family-oriented.
During holidays, they usually crowded around the
television watching football
or playing video games.
Church was not seen as
serious. Members looked
more dressed down because
they would dress casually or
in jeans. Sermons consisted
of the preacher speaking and
members quietly listening.
Furthermore, Bryant claims
she has experienced white
privilege because of her white
background. Since she is partially white, she believes that
it has automatically put her
ahead of someone that was
black. Advantages of whiteness benefited her, teaching
her that because her family
was white and came from
money, she could use it to
her advantage if she needed
financial help.

In reference to her mother,
Bryant explains, “Raising myself taught me a lot. I was perceived as a child from a single
mother. My mother did what
should could to take care of
me. She gave me the knowledge on how to take care of
myself and be a woman. She
wanted me to do better than
she ever did.”
A family event with her father’s side of the family.

Alternatively, she believes that her white family was
prone to be more dysfunctional. As a result, this
taught her to grow up quickly and to be more responsible. Early in Bryant’s teen years, she was forced
to raise her infant sister, as well as herself, because of
problems occurring with her mother. Absence from
her mother did not evoke feelings of resentment.
Instead, it taught Bryant what she needed to do in

Whites are seen as the norm
in the dominant American
society. They control the
norms regarding what we
do, how we act, a nd what we
know. However, according to
Bryant, whites in her life were
not pristine as society claims
them to be.
“Coming from two different stereotypes, one thing
that has really affected me is
white people and their [attitudes about] mental issues. It
made me more sympathetic
towards these people, which
influenced me to pursue a
career to help them and not
shun them by placing them in
a box.”

42

Furthermore, Bryant’s mother
instilled independence, not to
be judgmental, and taught her
that no one could change her
feelings.
When asked if Bryant experienced culture shock upon
coming to Reinhardt, she
quickly agreed. She confided that it was both good
and bad. The South is notably known for its Southern
hospitality. However, Bryant
begs to differ. Upon arriving
at Reinhardt, she realized
that some of the students
weren’t that nice or friendly,
had attitudes, and restricted
themselves to their own social
groups.
Moreover, she feels students
pass judgment because she is
in an interracial relationship.
”I am a product of an interracial relations, [so] it’s sad to
see that mixing of races is still
not accepted in society.”

Aliyah and her siblings Hayleigh and Jadyn.

Interracial couples still provoke disapproval, especially
in the South, even though
mixing of races is very common today.

Aliyah Bryant and her boyfriend Elliot Clark

Bryant claims that both her cultures structured her identity. Being biracial caused her to experience both sides of
the spectrum. She notably became aware of the stereotypes inflicted on both the white and black populations today.
Consequently, she was able to observe white privilege and its advantages. Furthermore, she was exposed to common stereotypes and disadvantages of blacks.
As a result, this taught her that no two people are the same. Everyone is different, no matter what color you are.
Additionally, her contrast of cultures invigorated her thoughts on intercultural issues in society. These differences
between people determine how one will live, what they will make, and how their children will be raised. Most importantly, her life experiences taught her what was acceptable in society, and what was right and wrong. Moreover,
it structured her not to be judgmental. Both her cultures placed her where she is today pushing her to exceed at in
any way possible.

(Photos courtesy of Alijah Bryant)
43