What’s up world! Welcome to episode 11 of The Polaroid Podcast. On today’s episode, I chat with special guest Yasmin from Queens, NY. Yasmin and I have known each other since we were in Prep 9 at the same time, but one year apart. As I was starting my second year at Andover, Yasmin was beginning her first at Tabor Academy. Before Prep, she reflects on being strong willed, intelligent, and has always preferred to march to the beat of her own drum. “I was not there to go to school, I was there to be of service to the institution.” This quote stood out to me from our section of the conversation about Yasmin’s boarding school experience. She recalls racism, islamaphobia, and difficulty adjusting to the “silent standard” that dominates schools like Tabor and Andover etc. We sit before the questions that arise when diversity is welcomed on websites but not so much in the class room or social scene. During the 2016 election, we both recalled the responses in our communities , as well as the moral dilemma that comes at the doorstep of POC at Boarding school. Many times, one is placed at a crossroads between achieving popularity and standing on the shoulders of their beliefs. It was not easy to go to school as someone else’s point of reference when, as Yasmin and I note, you’re there to go to school at the end of the day. Yasmin’s next school would be storied DMV HBCU Morgan State, where she is currently a Sophomore. Recalling how she often had to overthink her presentation in unfamiliar settings, Morgan provided the opposite. Though only in her second year, she’s already certain that she’s found a home. Of course, we did not get out of the Pod without discussing Yasmin’s business, Yas’ apothecary. Yas’ apothecary sells black-owned, reasonably priced and naturally handcrafted holistic body products and more! I was able to speak with Yasmin about her signature design for her first shirt and tote drop, as well as what else is in store. Cop up on Yas’s products, merch and support with likes, follows and shares!! Recorded 9.18.20. Yas’ Apothecary Site link: https://yas-apothecary.myshopify.com/ Follow on IG @Yasapothecary.
