Artifactual Interview

Annissa

Quashie

Some people are lost. Annissa knows where she’s going.

By Kelsey Jones

Photographs by Kelsey Jones and Annissa Quashie

 

You know that girl that knows what she’s doing with her life and is headed in the right direction? That’s Annissa. She knows her goals and is willing to work hard. I had the honor of interviewing her and learning about her life goals.

 

KJ: Who are you and what defines you?

AQ: I am a strong intelligent African American willing to conquer life’s challenges; my whole energetic personality describes who I am as an individual.   

KJ: What makes you absolutely tick?

AQ: One thing that makes me absolutely tick is when people do not take responsibility for the things they do wrong. I personally think that the truth is less painful than a lie. Even though it might be hard I would rather a free heart then one filled with dishonesty.

KJ: When did you come to realize what you wanted to do with your life?

AQ: Ever since I was in elementary school I have always wanted to become a lawyer. My idol is Johnnie L. Cochran and I attended a school of his in East Orange, New Jersey. He would to go there and speak to us about becoming successful.

KJ: How did this self-actualization come about?

AQ: When I reached my high school years I was sure I had made the right decision, because I am a very argumentative person who loves to prove my point. 

 

KJ: Where are you from and does your upbringing make you the person you are today?

AQ: I was born in Newark, New Jersey and was raised in East Orange, New Jersey. I am an only child, and as I matured out of my childhood years I had a lot of freedom. Some people would have taken that for granted, but I did not. I had to learn responsibility faster than many teens and had to be mature. This made me head-strong and independent, the person I am today. I don’t wait around on people I take action quickly.

KJ: Why did you choose Clark Atlanta University?  Why not a predominately white institution?

AQ: The reason I choose a Black University is because I felt comfortable. I spent my high school years in a predominately white school and felt out of place. I usually ask myself, “As a human being how can you feel out of place?” But it’s simple. In actuality, you feel like a victim. I decided to take a break from that feeling and involve myself with people who went through the same struggles as being a African American in America.

KJ: If you could change one thing in your past what would it be and why? Or would you not change anything? Why?

AQ: I don’t have any regrets in life, and I believe people change things that they regret. I am happy I made the choices I did in life because it helped shaped me into the female I am today.

KJ: What did you just have to bring to college with you and why? What does this item(s) reveal about your history?

AQ: I brought with me my cell phone and this reveals that I am a very social person and I love to keep in contact with my friends and family. I’m close with the people in my life and I try to them informed as much as possible.

Interviewing Ms. Annissa has led me to one conclusion. When you try to figure out questions about someone else, you actually find the answers to questions about yourself. It is actually amazing how there is so much more to a person than what you see on the outside. I gained more than what I thought I would by doing this assignment and I am honored that Ms. Qaushie allowed me to interview her.