Invicta Vlogs
Time for Reflection
I hope you are all doing well and taking one day at a time! My name is Donna Doherty and I am very excited to be representing the student body as the new Deputy Head Girl!
I do not know about you, but quarantining has led to a lot - I mean A LOT, of reflection time. I have certainly learnt a few things about myself: I really enjoy my own company, I love trying new recipes - especially Caribbean one’s. However, I am not really a fan of this exercise craze the world is jumping on! All jokes aside, the most important thing brought to my attention is how much I took for granted my love for the normality of everyday life. Cast your mind back to very early this year: imagine if someone had told you very soon that schools would be closed, all public gatherings cancelled and your ‘normal’ everyday life would not be so ‘normal’ anymore - crazy right? If I am honest, it can become so easy to be overwhelmed by the uncertainty of things we cannot control, but I soon realised that I had to take a day at a time and focus my attention on what brings me the most joy; whether that be having a quiet moment in the day to journal and do some bible study, Face Timing my friends or even baking alongside my sister. I realised that there may be a new ‘normal’ that is surfacing.
When I reflect on wider society, the world has been crying out for a ‘new’ normal; we just had not realised how much, until the tragic deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Belly Mujinga and George Floyd (to name a few). As well said, by my friend Zanele, “George Floyd is a catalyst for change...as young people, I feel it is vital that we learn from those before us and reconstruct a society where you are not defined by the colour of your skin and are able to see colour, acknowledge and educate yourselves about those who are different from us and what they represent”.
As much as I am outraged and will continue to protest for equal rights in this society, we know that outrage alone will not lead to lasting change. We must all individually choose to decide to educate ourselves, be open for conversation, so we can finally start treating one another in love, no matter what race, gender, or religion. Part of my legacy is to promote equality and empowerment of students to a greater level, where people are treated the same, no matter their background and therefore, can confidently achieve their best! I encourage you today to make an active decision to fight against inequality, wherever you find yourself; you choosing to stand against racism, for example, has a larger impact than you may think!
Lastly, please do take one day at a time! A lot has happened in the last couple of months, so please remember to do things that you love, spend time with loved ones and find joy in the new ‘normal’!
Donna Doherty
Senior Prefect Team – Deputy Head Girl
