Posted: Sat 12 Apr 2008 19:55 Post subject: Overcoming Adversity: Tanya Michelle Hutchison
I wanted to share an interesting story with everyone. I don't know if anyone is familiar with Ms. Hutchison's name but her story can be found at www.africanamericansoul.com. They published it in "Chicken Soup for the African-American Woman's Soul". The story is called "Never, Ever Give Up". My own account of what happened to her is below.
She is an attractive woman who self-identifies as a Black American. Her photo is there and she narrates her story. She was probably speaking to a group of students. Basically, Hutchison (who is probably now in her late 30's) was a victim of horrific violence at 13 years old. She appears multiracial, identifies as black and grew up in a predominately black neighborhood where she was taunted by kids who thought she was partly white. When boys at her new school told her she was pretty, this upset the other girls. She was constantly being called racial slurs and being beaten up.
At 13, she was viciously assaulted by these girls in a way that destroyed her both physically and emotionally. Confronted outside the gym after school, she was held down by a group of girls while one slashed her face and throat with a razor blade. Supposedly these girls committed this evil act because she was "light-skinned" and thought she was "cute". Hutchison was left bleeding and disfigured. She needed therapy and surgery after that. It took years before she was able to move beyond that painful incident. What struck me is her attitude of forgiveness. Years after the brutal assault , she was approached at a function by a woman who apologized tearfully. She didn't recognize the woman as the then-18 year old girl who had cut her up. That woman had since lived a very unhappy life and had been in trouble with the law for drugs, prostitution, etc. She reached out and forgave the woman. How many could do that?
Joined: 19 Jan 2006 {Posts: 219 } Location: Southern California
Posted: Sat 12 Apr 2008 22:30 Post subject:
Quote:
....She reached out and forgave the woman. How many could do that?
Kudos to her. She's a much bigger person than I am or ever will be. Hell, after such an attack, I'd at least be pursuing legal action to sue them or their parents to the hilt for all of my medical bills Furthermore, upon learning that one of my perpetrators had lived an unhappy life...my heart would be filled with schadenfreude instead of forgiveness. I know, I know, I can be somewhat vindictive and this is definitely one of my character flaws
All I can say is, God bless Ms. Hutchinson.
Posted: Sat 12 Apr 2008 23:40 Post subject: Re: Overcoming Adversity: Tanya Michelle Hutchison
pianoplayer111 wrote:
I wanted to share an interesting story with everyone. I don't know if anyone is familiar with Ms. Hutchison's name but her story can be found at www.africanamericansoul.com. They published it in "Chicken Soup for the African-American Woman's Soul". The story is called "Never, Ever Give Up". My own account of what happened to her is below.
She is an attractive woman who self-identifies as a Black American. Her photo is there and she narrates her story. She was probably speaking to a group of students. Basically, Hutchison (who is probably now in her late 30's) was a victim of horrific violence at 13 years old. She appears multiracial, identifies as black and grew up in a predominately black neighborhood where she was taunted by kids who thought she was partly white. When boys at her new school told her she was pretty, this upset the other girls. She was constantly being called racial slurs and being beaten up.
At 13, she was viciously assaulted by these girls in a way that destroyed her both physically and emotionally. Confronted outside the gym after school, she was held down by a group of girls while one slashed her face and throat with a razor blade. Supposedly these girls committed this evil act because she was "light-skinned" and thought she was "cute". Hutchison was left bleeding and disfigured. She needed therapy and surgery after that. It took years before she was able to move beyond that painful incident. What struck me is her attitude of forgiveness. Years after the brutal assault , she was approached at a function by a woman who apologized tearfully. She didn't recognize the woman as the then-18 year old girl who had cut her up. That woman had since lived a very unhappy life and had been in trouble with the law for drugs, prostitution, etc. She reached out and forgave the woman. How many could do that?
wow
I think this kind of story is universal though.
Take out the racial part and put something else in and it's the same.
The other part that got me was the woman who was wise enough to ask for forgiveness all those years later.
A lot of girls go through stuff like this. Especially if a boy is in the picture.
I have a cousin who would get beaten up by a girl and her cousin because they thought she thought she was pretty. (well she is)
Thing about this situation is my cousin is light complexioned with long brown wavy hair. and the girl who would beat her up was lighter complexioned with green eyes. My brother after a few times of it happening would always walk her home to protect her.
Those girls were on a deeper level most likely reacting to the fact that everyone could tell she was loved and cared for. It was in how she was dressed and feed. How respectful she was of others.
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Furthermore, upon learning that one of my perpetrators had lived an unhappy life...my heart would be filled with 