No Crystal Stair – But Be Encouraged

Maya Carpenter, journalist, playwright, and actress.

By Maya Carpenter

In the words of the late, great poet Langston Hughes, “life for me ain’t been no crystal stair,” but I know all things happen for a reason.

My graduation from college represented a milestone to me, but I have yet to reach the peak — graduating meant only the beginning. I relocated from Florida to Asheville in June of 2007.

Moving to Asheville was a life-changing experience. I thought once I got my first job offer after college I was in good standing. I was someone who had a job. I had surpassed the curse of college students not finding work right out of college. But before I knew it that job was gone. At the time, I thought, “I moved to Asheville with a job, now I’m living here without a job. I was in Asheville for a purpose, and it was to write. “What the heck I am going to do?” I wondered.

Just
to step off the subject for a moment: college doesn’t teach you
everything about finding the job that fits you. I didn’t realize there
were “things” I would have to go through in order to understand how to
find the right job. I want to tell people that sometimes “things” don’t
work out because there is something else for you.

While in Asheville, I prayed, I sought advice from mentors in the
journalism industry. I sought guidance from professors, but nothing
seemed to be working — I was still out of a job. I searched for a job
day and night. I was beginning to lose faith. I went to interviews that
required a degree and never received callbacks. I was presenting myself
as I was supposed to, but nothing seemed to be working.

But I didn’t give up, and I haven’t given up. I started getting my name
out into the community, and I began going to another passion of mine —
theatre. So I went out and looked for a place that would be able to
take on someone like me and use my talents. Then the W.C. Reid Center
came along and gave me a chance to prove that I’m not just a
journalist, I am a writer. And now I can say my first play will be in
production in February, and I am currently working on my second one. I
never thought something like this would happen so soon, but I believe
there will be many more to come. My motto is “Some people dream of
success, while others wake up and work hard at it.” And I can truly say
I work for everything that I have attained thus far.

I also realize that times are different now, and struggles are going to
happen and it’s not going to stop happening even when your life seems
to be getting brighter there will be struggles along the way. That’s
why I like Hughes’ poem: because it talks about struggles and
overcoming those struggles.

Since finding my way back to Florida I have felt peace about the
decisions that I’ve made, the battles I’ve faced with going on a job
interview and not getting recognized because of the way I looked. When
I walked in for an interview I didn’t look like the average black
female with straight hair. My hair is beautiful, kinky, and natural,
and the girl who walked in before me with straight, long hair got the
job. Even if we both had the same credentials, it didn’t matter. I have
learned and continued to learn from these kinds of situations.

That’s why I encourage young black women out there who dare not conform
to never let go of who they are, but realize that society is society,
and your appearance will always matter even if “they” say it doesn’t.
As a young, black woman with a degree, I refused to let people,
jealousy, or obstacles set me back from achieving the goal(s) I was put
here to do on this earth.

This joy that I have — the world did not give it, and the world can’t
take it away. I am still continuing my journey; I challenge all young
people to stop dreaming, and to work hard to get what you’ve been
dreaming about! Be encouraged! 

Maya
Carpenter is a young journalist, playwright and actress in hopes of
becoming a “Mogul.” When she was 19, writing become more than just a
hobby, it was her passion. She’s written for several newspapers and
magazines. After graduating from the University of Florida –
Gainesville, in May ‘07, Maya realized she could do more than just
write stories; she could also use her theatre background to write plays
that can one day be in film, or perhaps on stage.

She’s interviewed musical artists such as John Legend, and Amel
Larreuix. Maya also has a natural hair care blog where she schools
young women of color how to manage their natural hair. She thought,
since she had people giving her advice when she first went natural, why
not write about it? While she’s learning the ropes and absorbing
everything her journalism mentors have to say, she will continue honing
her craft.

Maya’s first play And Justice For All will be in production at the W.C
Reid Center Feb. 28 – March 1, 2008. You may contact Maya at:
[email protected]