Cape Cod (2024). Photo taken by Mia Lahav.
About two months ago, a random man approached me as I was waiting for the train. I was sitting on a bench, untying my wired headphones.
The man suddenly says, “I love your hair!”
His compliment startled me, yet I wasn’t a monster, so I responded with, “Thank you.”
“Is it from your mom or your dad?” he says.
I am still untying my headphones. His curiosity caught me off guard, yet I strive to be respectful whenever possible. I politely respond and say, “My mom.”
“I’m Native American, so I have straight hair,” he says. "What is your nationality? Are you European?”
My mom always tells me to be cautious about saying where I’m from because, especially this year, I don’t know how people will respond. However, it was daylight, others surrounded me, and I felt safe in my environment so I decided to go for it.
“I’m from Israel.”
His response was heartwarming and unexpected. “I am so sorry for you guys. I served in the military and I would do it again if it meant I could help Israel.” He then reached out to hug me. I was hesitant but his gesture and kind words made it impossible not to show my gratitude. I put down my untangled headphones and hugged him back.
This interaction made me realize the importance of being open to unexpected conversations, even those we tend to avoid, as they can lead to touching and unforgettable moments. I have applied this perspective throughout my life specifically when working in journalism.
Coming from a diverse high school with over 2,000 students and faculty, it’s common to experience new connections almost every single day. As I interview two freshmen in their advisory classroom I learn that one spends their time reading, and one meditates for 10 minutes every morning. Or I encounter a senior who, at first glance, comes off as tough however he reveals that he is a part of the chess club.
Yet, these stories are always sheltered and are never broadcast to the world because of feelings of discomfort. Conversations like these might seem startling at first or cause you to feel hesitant, yet they are so significant to building authenticity in this world. We currently exist in a society full of misinformation and deception, where we lack the ability to discuss vulnerability. However, journalism has the power to create new ways to communicate authentically and uncover unique stories that are hidden beneath the surface.
Through Regulus Yearbook, I have grown not just as a journalist, but also as a person. I was assigned to reach out to a student who, from my perspective, simply enjoys going to Celtics games. During the interview, my observation was correct, but there was so much more to it than I realized. The student shares how the TD Garden to him, “feels like coming home.” It all started with his family and how he was born into a long line of Celtics supporters. As a season ticket holder and Celtics superfan, he arrives 3+ hours before playoff games and shares their positive energy with the world. The superfans range from all different ages, ethnicities, and passions, yet they all can collectively come together to showcase their love for the Celtics. Regardless of their differences, the student was able to find a community that allowed him to feel seen.
This story introduced a standpoint to my world that was unfamiliar and unpredictable to me. It allowed me to understand how significant it is to share your individuality and be proud of your uniqueness. To some, arriving 3 hours before a game might seem crazy, but that is what journalism is all about: not being afraid of controversy or ignorance. Going out of my comfort zone to find these unconventional interactions is what I aim to do in Regulus Yearbook, and what I plan to do in the future.
I hope to continue to discover and share unexpected connections and communicate no matter the length of the conversation. Whether that be five minutes as you untie your headphones or one hour as you learn about the Celtics community, these interactions are worth a lifetime.