I'mani Sellers Archives - Tony Ward Studio

I’Mani Sellers: ExPENNtations

Posted on May 14, 2015 by I’Mani Sellers

When Black students come to Penn, it is not an easy four years. There are many expectations put on students by their families, peers, and the outside world. Though Penn has a “LOVE” statue on campus Black students rarely find love here on campus.

When coming into Penn, first most Black students do not expect to see many other students who look like them, while Penn is known for being diverse Black students only make up 7% of Penn’s population. Black students are combated with questions daily that question their character, and even why they are present on this campus. While being here at Penn, there are many that expect Black students to fail all their classes, be on academic probation, and eventually just drop out. When some people see Black students they only expect them to be athletes, students of other institutions or thieves and “thugs.” Black students have to struggle through these stereotypes for four years while also struggling for their diploma.

These same students also have the expectations of their families. Most Black students here at Penn are first generation college students so their parents see them as the precedent for their siblings and/or their communities. Parents try their hardest to help, and send their love, but not always being present has an effect on their children. These students want to make their parents proud and leave with the degree in the end, but it is hard because Penn is a very rigorous academic environment. Not only do these students want to get their degree, they want and have the expectations of getting a job and becoming successful so they can in turn, one day take care of their parents.

It is not all bad news for Black students here on Penn’s campus. There are places students can feel welcomed and loved. There are safe spaces here where students can feel like home again, and fellowship with the other students living out and combating various ExPENNtations.

About the Author: I’Mani Sellers is a sophomore with a focus on the field of STEM, College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2017.

I’Mani Sellers: Lost Childhood

Posted on April 20, 2015 by I’Mani Sellers

I went back home for spring break and realized how fast all the children in my life are growing up and I decided to go to one of the parks closest to me. I have noticed, that in my hometown, a lot of children do not spend their time in the park with their friends. When I was younger, we lived to be able to go to the park and still swing on the swings, and even now when we’re trying to channel our childhood, we will go back to the parks late at night.

In my town, children have a lot of responsibilities, besides just being a student; it goes way beyond chores. Most children back at home, end up taking the roles of parents and having to leave their childhood behind, and with that they leave the parks behind also. Having fun is a lost art at home, when you’re younger. They are not allowed to relax and enjoy their childhood anymore.

I wanted to capture the park when there was snow on the ground, because I believe it went with the attitude children have towards the parks, cold. The park only feels warmth from the sun, and the stray animals that scamper through it. I wanted people to see the conditions that the park is left in. It is abandoned, not maintained, the equipment is rusting and losing it color.

Parks still cause me to feel nostalgic, and it makes me want to find a way to find the lost childhoods of the generation after mine.

About the Author: I’Mani Sellers is a sophomore with a focus on the field of STEM, College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2017.

I’Mani Sellers: Better Half

Posted on March 17, 2015, by I’Mani Sellers

Kass has been seeing Denny for a while now and their relationship is very serious. Kass prides herself in not worrying about what people think about her and not letting that influence her decisions about life. Kass also prides herself in not letting just anyone into her life. Denny was a very different story.

She has known Denny and she has seen him grow and mature, just as he sees her grow and mature. They spend as much time together as they possibly can. Kass describes him as her better half. Kass and Denny have planned everything about their future, and they would not let anything change or jeopardize that. At least that is what Kass thought.

Denny came to Kass one day and told her he had enlisted in the army and was leaving to boot camp in three weeks. Three weeks was all they had left together for a while. It hurt Kass so much, because she believed Denny betrayed her; he had betrayed their dreams. She was angry; she wanted nothing to do with him for a while. She was ready to erase him from her life.

As she counted down the days, she realized she would regret not speaking to him before he left, so she gave him one last goodbye. She sought comfort in her friends at school, but nothing was like the touch of his arms around her as she hugged him. Nothing else could complete her. She writes him letters, and every time she signs them with, “How can you live without your better half of your heart?”

She still sits at home, waits for his return, does her daily routine of going to classes, but she does not feel like she is living. She is still looking for the answer, of how to live without her better half.

About the Author: I’Mani Sellers is a sophomore with a focus on the field of STEM, College of the University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2017.