Month: January 2021

Below is a link to a map of what I perceive to be my new reality. Due to quarantine, my map of Philadelphia is extremely limited compared to what it used to be. While I want to travel to my usual Philly spots, I limit my use of public transportation including the subway which I used to use frequently so I can help prevent the spread. So now, Philadelphia to me is the walk from my apartment to the invisible walls of campus. For me, Philadelphia is the loud construction cite across from my apartment and the football coach blowing his shrieking whistle at 10am. It’s also the beat up headboard on the basketball court in the community park after years of use and love. Philadelphia is the walk between Anderson and Gladfelter, the two buildings that host my majors. It’s also the taste of Richie’s coffee and Tai’s Vietnamese food’s boba. It’s the sound of the bell tower always chiming a minute before the new hour. Philadelphia is the busy students with their heads buried in books and their clacking laptops at the SAC and Charles Library. It’s the rare sight of the color green in the founder’s garden where students gather to find a minute of quiet in the usually overcrowded and loud walkways. It’s the Cecil B. Moore SEPTA station at the very edge of campus that promises a new adventure one day, just not today. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wo8tBVOm1h0pC_H_bNS-nIeIhQ7Nm50l/view?usp=sharing

Ciara McParland she/her/hers

Junior – Global Studies & Spanish Language majors with History minor

I was born and raised in North New Jersey before coming to Philadelphia for college. Growing up as a dancer, I also enjoy uncovering new modes of creative expression. I’ve been dancing for 16 years so far and I’m the current President of the dance club RDC on campus. Coming from a biethnic/biracial household, I was always surrounded by multiculturalism & interested in international affairs which really drew me into the global studies major. In the future, I strive to be engaged in human rights research and international development. So far, I have one article published and I hope to continue publishing more of my work in the future to add to the growing international relations field of study.

What is History?:

I perceive history to be the study of the past. It’s an investigation into the past through documents, spoken word, first-hand accounts, secondary sources, and more meant to paint an accurate picture of what life was like. History is meant to provide context that may aid in our understanding of the present. It contextualizes our existence and rounds out our understanding of what it means to be human. By investigating the greatest tragedies and triumphs of the past, we learn more about humanity.