We are two twin brother, Malcolm and Marcus from Greenville, South Carolina, and take pride in being students at South Carolina State University in Orange burg. Both of us are education majors marcus is studying Early Childhood Education, and I (Malcolm) am focused on Middle Level Education. Our parents named us a two powerful Civil Rights leaders: Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey. So from the start, it felt like we were born with a purpose.
From the moment we were born we were in the news litrally. Local news featured our story since we were the biggest group of twins born in Upstate South Carolina at that time. Marcus weighed in at 9 pounds, 6 ounces, and I followed closely behind at 7 pounds, 13 ounces. Our birth was so notable; it happened the same year Tiger Woods made history at the Masters. It is safe to say we entered the world in dramatic fashion.
We came into the world on April 1st, which certainly made us the subject of numerous April Fools’ jokes.
People would say things like, “You guys were born a joke!” Or “Natural-born comedians!” Thankfully, we learned to laugh along and even lean into the fun.
Throughout our lives, we have pulled our fair share of twin pranks. We have switched classes in middle school, filled in at each other’s jobs (and yes, we paid each other for the shift!) and even tried the old movie trick: dressing the same, buying one ticket, and walking in one at a time. It is all part of the twin experience.
One of our funniest and most epic pranks came in high school. I (Malcolm) was sick on yearbook photo day and could not go in for the picture. I attempted to persuade Marcus to fill in for me. At first, he laughed it off and refused, but after a while, he agreed. Our biggest challenge? Keeping a straight face! Marcus said if the camera had stayed on him just three seconds longer, he would have split. But somehow, we pulled it off. No one noticed for over two years!
Being identical twins definitely have advantages. Whether it was racing to the front seat as kids, competing to finish meals first, or walking each other to the bathroom in the middle of the night, we have always had that built-in best friend energy. We have had full conversations without saying a word and often say the same thing at the same time it’s like a superpower. Our message to other twins out there: Have fun with it. Enjoy the bond, the laughs, and the occasional life hack. And remember when you are a twin, sometimes the best plan is to work smart, not hard.
