Black Ink
Commentary
Page 8
October 22
✓
Snap Judgements Do Nothing But Cause Problems
By Kimberly Maxwell
Staff
Within the past year and a half. I've
become addicted to "The Arsenic Hall
Show." If I'm home at 11 p.m.. I'm
usually glued to the television,
watching him clown around in his
Armani suits or strategically-ripped
jeans. I particularly enjoy the songs he
plays during his monologue. About a
year ago for a week, Arsenio seemed to
play the song "I'm Not Souped" by
Troop often. At the time, I thought he
might have had a particular motive,
but after an experience last summer, I
now understand.
Last summer, I interned in
Charleston, South Carolina at The
News and Courier and Evening Post
newspapers, a position I got through
the National Association of Black
Journalists. Becauseof Hurricane Hugo
the previous September, I had difficulty
finding an apartment in the city and
ended up staying in a dormitory at the
College of Charleston.
While in the dorm, I met a group of
black students who were participating
in a minority program at the Medical
University of South Carolina. Most of
these students had either graduated or
were preparing to graduate from
college, from schools all over the
country. I was impressed with the
group as a whole, because they all were
intelligentpeople. Fora time, we would
eat together in the cafeteria, but a
possession of mine began to cause
problems.
As a part of my internship, it was
necessary for me to have a car. My
parents felt I needed another one,
because the car I had wasn't
dependable, especially since I'd be
away from home for 12 weeks. I ended
up with a car that was new only to me,
but I was thankful to have it.
In addition, after putting 7.5 hours
at the newspaper, I would journey to a
nearby Boys and Girls Club three times
a week for an hour to do volunteer
work. I taught Afro-American history
to a group of elementary school
students, or scholars, as I called them.
After schooling my scholars, I would
drive directly to the cafeteria and eat
dinner. I figured, why park at the dorm
and walk to the cafeteria, when I could
just ride there and drive home when I
was done. It made sense to me.
On occasion, I would run into people
in the medical program at dinner, and
we'd eat together. Not wanting to be
rude, I would offer them a ride back to
the dormitory, which was a block away.
Within the course of the summer,
insinuations were made about the fact
that I would drive to dinner, especially
since the dorm was so close by. Next
thing I know. I'm judged to be stuck
up, because I'm showing off my car.
Shocked the hell out of me—^but it also
made me angry.
Now, the people I was dealing with
in this unpleasant situation were all
much like me—^black and trying to be
successful. These weren't potential
ditch-diggers I was dealing with; these
were potential doctors, pharmacists
and health care professionals. People
who would enjoy the fruits of their
hard work someday, like I intend to do.
But our main tie was our skin color.
We were still black Americans with the
same trials and tribulations, especially
when trying to be successful. Some of
these students didn't realize that,
because their visions were blurred by
thecar I drive. I justcouldn'tunderstand
why another black person would want
to bring another down based on a
material possession. What made
matters worse was their perception of
me was made from assumptions. These
people didn'teven take the opportunity
to really find out what I'm about. I
know there's more substance to
Kimberley Maxwell than just a car, but
to them, that's all I was.
It is easy to make assumptions about
people. However, an assumption can
label a pjerson indefinitely, which is
especially dangerous if it is untrue,
and eventually lead to rumors, which
is always bad news. Unfortunately, the
p>erson and their friends are the only
ones who know—or believe—the truth.
However, there's a person on the inside.
Before making a snap judgment about
someone, make sure you know that
person, or at least have given them an
opportunity to show differently. As
college students, the majority of us want
to hear both sides of a conflict before
making an informed decision. The same
should apply when dealing with the
people around us.
I now know why Arsenio liked the
song 'Tm Not Souped" so much. The
problem: believing snapjudgments that
aren't always true. And during a time
when we all need to pull together to
handle a racist society, we're doing just
that. And pulling each other down in
the process.
apples
•llowkif people to plan leomln^ cupr.rtc.nc— In vervjcc
Servjoc is one of the thipgs that this University^ wants to teach I
youngpeopkin adcStkm to good studies, and the book knavledgt. \
Another critical pari of your experience is. to deGne it for yav.
Thomas Oeffersoti'sgreat principle of ^ntbHc serrioc. That is, every
American owes his community, his slate, his nation, sane time in
return for the blessii^ of democracy and freedom. This is so I
important, and it s not tmderstood today. I
- I¥ealdait Uocritoa IMTUaA ftkUy
We ore a nation founded upon active citisien^p and participaticMi in
community Kfe. We have always beHeved that individuals can and should
serve. Rirthermore, our IWversity is founded upon academic excellence
throu^ higher education. have always promoted diallengii)g thought and
expanding' knowledge.
In the academic atmcsphere cf the tftiiversity cf North Cardina, a
structured couibnnation d" learning and service would add value to eadi and
transform both. Service translates philoscphical and academic ideas into
aclive and tangible results. In turn, these results add new dimensions to the
stnicture dT education.
It is crucial that service toward the common gocd be combined with
reflecthrc learning in order to assure that service programs d'high quality are
created and sustained over time. This combination would demonstrate how
service can be a signilicant and ongoing part dT Kfe.
With leamingthrou^ service, students will develcp informed judgments,
enridied imaginations, and sustained skills that will provide them with a
greater capacity for contributing to the common gccd.
an thm /VrombJb cf the Win^^pne*d
hindpiKt of Hood /^vctfor fbr C»ai^vng Serrtct md Lam^m
c/o Dean CSlBon Cclf
Colkve uf Arts h Sdenoca. CD *«100
UNC-CH fino)9e»-aom
1991 Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebration
Activities and events for the
university's annual observance of Martin
Luther King, Jr.'s birthday are now being
planned by the Martin Luther King, Jr.
Planning Committee. This connmittee is
officially charged by the Chancellor with
the responsibility to plan university-wide
activities as a part of the university's of the
late Dr. King’s birthday. The committee
invites interested individuals and groups
who plan to sponsor similar activities to
contact the committee chair at 962-6962 for
further information.
1991 Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship
Nominations for the 1991 Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship are now
being accepted through November 16,1990 at 5:00 p.m. This scholarship is
awarded annually to recognize students whose civic activities and academic
accomplishments best exemplify the ideals and aspirations of the slain civil
rights leader .Nominees must be juniors who have demonstrated a commitment
to civil rights and equality and must have made an effort to improve the
quality of life in the university community. Nonunees must also have
demonstrated leadership abilities and show promise of becoming a leader in
his or her chosen field or endeavor. Nomination forms are available at the
Black Cultural Center and at 03 South Building. Nominations may also t>e
made by writing or calling: Ms. Carolyn Briggs, Office of University Affairs,
03 South Building, 962-6962.