In all honesty, there are quite a few issues facing black students on campus such as the overwhelming desire to represent the whole race while in class, and the silence of mental health issues. There are also issues faced by black students within the actual black community. There seems to be a hierarchy amongst us, which leaves many black students feeling left out. I believe in order to address the issues there needs to be a unification of the whole black student body. While also promoting the fact one person doesn’t define everyone else. The issues can’t be fixed by a snap of the fingers; I believe it will take constant work and dedication from every student to make the community more inclusive and
African American education systems and colleges faced many issues systematically and socially. The process of integrating colleges was a process faced with opposition because the idea that higher education was made for strictly for white upper-class men was still the underlying ideal. While equal opportunity was promoted in the light, behind the scenes, systematically money, policy, procedure hindered black education and equal opportunity. Realizing this injustice, black students sought to find their own solutions to social justice issues happening not only within higher education but their communities while leading by example.
Since entering SMU in the fall of 2013 I have had the honor and privilege of meeting some of the most outstanding indivuals. SMUs black population represents the crème of the crop. I say this because despite the numerous obstacles that society has placed in our way, we are all still here. We represent countless black people that continue to fight in the battle against oppression. When there isn’t a way we make a way. We make spaces for ourselves such as ABS, NPHC, SSS and BME. I have gone to numerous forums, meetings, film showings, service events, fish fry’s, barbeques, step shows, talent shows, church outings, teas, demonstrations, fundraisers and numerous other events with the goal of supporting my black brothers and sisters. The black community
The United States of America often forgets that historically black colleges and universities were created out of necessity. It has only been a couple of decades since African Americans have been allowed to get degrees from predominantly white institutions. Millions of African Americans have given their blood, sweat, and tears in hopes of gaining basic rights like education to their descendants. America has come a long way within the past fifty years but there is still a disconnect when it comes to believing what the average African American can accomplish as an individual. When it comes to historically black colleges and universities there is still a stigma that the education is less rigorous and
Lastly, The Division of Student Affairs role to prevent any racial issues in the future is to provide more educational programs about racism and how to prevent it. I think the Division of Student Affairs should team with the housing department. The reason why I mentioned that is that, the housing deparment hoist different programs. An RA can host a program regarding racism and have students to attend. I think it will be a great program where students can learn undertad why racism is important topic in college/university news as of
The creation of programs and departments in black studies was a common demand of protest and sit-ins by minority students and their allies. There is the third demand that black colleges relate more to the black community. With that being said we understand more because we (as the black community) are self-centered and is only worried about what’s going on with us so we lack knowledge of black studies being on white campuses and who it is taught by.
That is when the community split became more apparent. I began to realize the apparent racism and also began to realize that there is also a problem among the minority population. They are either pro-black, anti-white or rarely somewhere in between. There are plenty arguments among the community. Everyday I hear “they didn’t give us the funding because we are a black org”, “my professor doesn’t like me because they are racist”, or the best one “the students here are so racist.” I believe that diversity trainings should be a requirement for every student, staff and faculty member associated with the campus. And in these trainings, equality should be stressed. The diversity elephant in the room makes the campus environment toxic. It causes students to be on edge about certain situations that could be an honest mistake as a racial wrongdoing. Not everything is a racial issue and not everything is done with the best
As one of the very few young black women in the Anthropology department I feel I can bring to the Black Student Union Organization a sense of empowerment. Being a double minority especially in an academia setting can be a bit intimidating. School is usually the place where you are a bit close with your fellow peers so when you are placed in a position where you don’t have much of an advantage as someone who is maybe not your color or gender you may shy away from doing the things you truly love. I would like to give others the sense of comfort and enjoyment I find through being motivated and going that extra step to be successful. I feel as though part of your experience with anything, whether it be a new major or a new job, depends on how dedicated
Breaking these stereotypes makes a college campus more approachable to a variety students. Another impact that the Black Live Matter movement has on college campuses is that it challenges
The following is the input that was shared: “I would encourage students to get involved on campus. I enjoyed my time at the school, and had good experiences when doing projects with classmates. While my time was different than many others (online), I hope it was representative of what others have experienced. I would say having the opportunity to meet and get mentored was important. My time knowing my mentor, he trusted in me and helped keep me on track to make sure I was “handling my business” off the football field. I would encourage future students to come for the small class size, the attention given by professors. Come motivated and get a mentor. Mentorship is very import to all youth, but especially black youth. I believe it takes motivation to be successful, but many of these kids lack the motivation. That isn’t always their fault. Mentors can help them see and understand where they can find the motivation within themselves. College is definitely what you make it, get involved if something should change. Plan ahead, know your program that you are studying. A big influence for most people would for most people would be an influential African American male role model on campus that knows what they are experiencing and can help navigate them
Thinking about the struggle that lead to the emergence of Black studies departments in America, with help from students and teachers, to understanding today based on past failures what the right kind of education looks like, feels like and the outcomes it produces, it becomes clear that the legacy of educating Black people to have white minds is still in play. Additionally, after all that Black studies departments have accomplished, a return back to communal involvement/community service as a requirement for students within these departments, keeps the legacy of what fostered Black Student Unions and departments to form in the first place, this particularly being valuing intellectual growth
Over the course of the years that Black Studies has been a separate functioning entity, there have been different ideological and political reasons for why Black studies is needed in institutions of higher education. Scholars such as Nathan Hare, John Henrik Clark, John W. Blassingame and Devere E. Pentony have given their own varied rationales as to why they believe Black Studies is a necessity within these institutions; if it is even one at all. Each of these men have different opinions on this topic but they do share one similar perspective. The historical importance of black people should be taught and made a fundamental component of Black Studies because in institutions of higher education, where the populations are predominantly white, staying connected to the black culture can be difficult. Getting educated about it enables students to stay connected to their roots and use it to improve their future. Many black people grow up unaware of who they are and where they come from because in the current education system black people have been pushed to the side or spoken about very briefly. Students do not understand the struggles of African American people, so therefore having courses that educate them about the history of blacks, will spark understanding of black people as a whole and there might be a change in black and even possibly white communities.
Another major predicament that plays a large role in the amount of African Americans that do not receive a higher education is once they get to college, they do not have a typical or enjoyable experience once there. In today’s society, it is hard to imagine that there is still racism and segregation in schools and colleges today but the reality is, it still does very much exist. This is especially true when black students attend predominantly white universities. Even though most colleges promote themselves by talking about how diverse their
In modern days, there have been many reports on African-Americans who claim that they are unfairly treated at universities and that there isn’t any administrative responsiveness. Additionally, some say that the effort administrators are giving isn’t effective. Other students on these campuses say that the African-Americans are just overacting and that the incidents aren’t that serious. In contrast, administrators claim that they are attending to the problems that these students have and that they are trying their best to find a solution to the problem. Racial hostility is when “someone or a group of people are prejudice towards people of a different race, religion, or country” (Racial Hostility). According to black people, this is what they declare is a problem that they are facing today at their universities. The controversy over this situation comes to a question asking, “Are college administrators reacting to the racial hostility on campuses and is it effective? Over the past years, there have been multiple prejudice events that occurred, which is the reason why this controversy is in existence. One being at the University of Oklahoma, where white males were caught on video chanting racial slurs. Another one being at the University of Missouri, where officials were slow to handle racial incidents on the campus that contributed to protests, a student hunger strike, and a
So after living here for roughly 8 years now, I - along with others - have realized making friends in the Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC area is kind of hard; especially if you're a guy who is accustomed to having both female and male friends. For example, after working in politics, policy, and law, I have to ask you ladies two questions: Is there segregation going on here in Northern Virginia? And is fear-mongering a normal norm out here in Northern Virginia?
Thankfully there are many activist groups that are fighting for equality. At California State University the Black Student Union organized a school wide walk out show support for all the black students facing discrimination all across college campuses in the United States especially to the students in Missouri and Yale. Students all over the country have joined in on protests such as these to show support and to say that racism on college campuses will not be tolerated any