opportunities. Most likely that
time only gives you greater
knowledge of how to get back in.
Four years of college gives you an
opportunity not only to lift
yourself but to serve your people
effectively. What’s the difference
when you are called a nigger in
college from when you are called
nigger in prison? In college you
can, though I admit with effort,
follow procedures to have those
students who called you nigger
kicked out or suspended. You can
bring issues to public attention
without risk of your like. But
mostly college is and always has
been the future. We, neither less
nor more than other people, need
knowledge. There are discomforts
attached to attending
predominantly white colleges.
with your tuition. Ask early what
you need to do if you feel your are
starting to get into academic
trouble. Do not wait until you are
failing.
Understand that there will be
professors who do not like you.
There may even be professors
who are racist or sexist or both.
You must discriminate among
your professors to see who will
give you the help you need. You
may not simply say “There are all
against me.” They aren’t. They
mostly don’t care. Since you are
the one who wants to be educated,
find the people who want to help.
Don’t defeat yourself.
Cultivate your friends. Know
your enemies. You cannot undo
sit together in the dining hall?
A: Why do the while smdents
sit together?
Q: Why should there be an
African American studies course?
A: Because white Americans
have not adequately studied the
contributions of Africans and
African Americans. Both black
and white students need to know
our total common history.
Q: Why are there so many
scholarships for “minority”
students?
A: Because they wouldn’tgive
my great-grandparents their 40
acres and a mule.
Q; How can whites understand
black history, culture, literature
and so forth?
A: The same way we
understand white history, culture,
literature and so forth. That is
why we’re in school— to learn.
Q: Should whites take African
American studies courses?
A: Of course. We take while
studies courses, though the
universities don’t call them that.
Comment: When 1 see groups
of black people on campus, it’s
really intimidating.
Comeback: I understand what
you mean. I’m frightened when I
see white students congregating.
Comment: It’s not fair. It’s
easier for you guys to get into
college than for other people.
Comeback: If it’s so easy,
why aren’t there more of us?
Comment: It’s not our fault
that America is the way it is.
Comeback: It’s not our fault,
either, but both of us have a
responsibility to make changes.
It’s really very simple.
Educational progress is a national
concern; education is a private
one. Your job is not to educate
white people; it is to obtain an
education. If you take the racial
world on your shoulders, you will
not get the job done. Deal with
yourself as an individual worthy
of respect, and make everyone
else deal with you the same way.
College is a litUe like playing
grown-up. Practice what you want
to be. You have been telling your
parents you are grown. Now is
your chance to act like it.
Commentary
though no more so than living in a
racist world. Here are some rules
to follow that may help:
Go to class.
No matter how you feel. No
matter how you think the professor
feels about you. It’s important to
have a consistent presence in the
classroom. If nothing else, the
professor will know you care
enough and are serious enough to
be there.
Meet your professors.
Extend your hand (give a firm
handshake) and tell them your
name. Ask them what you need to
make and A. You may never make
an A but have put them on notice
that your are serious about getting
good grades.
Do assignments on time.
Typ^ orcomputer-generated.
You have the syllabus. Follow it.
And turn those papers in. If for
some reason you can’t complete
an assignment on time, let your
professor know before it is due
and work out a new due date—
then meet it.
Go back to see your professor.
Tell him or her your name
again. If an assignment received
less than an A, ask why, and find
out what you need to do to improve
the next assignment.
Yes, your professor is busy.
So are you. So are your parents
who are working to pay or help
hundreds of years of prejudicial
thinking. Think for yourself and
speak up. Raise your hand in class.
Say what you believe no matter
how awkward you may think it
sounds. You will improve in your
articulation and confidence.
Participate in some campus
activity.
Join the newspaper staff. Run
for office. Join a dorm council.
Do something that involves you
on campus. You are going to be
there for four years, so let your
presence be known, if not felL
You will inevitably run inlo
some white classmates who are
troubling because they often say
stupid things, ask stupid
questions—and expectan answer.
Here are some comebacks to some
of the most common inquiries and
comments:
Q: What’s it like to grow up in
a ghetto?
A: I don’t know.
Q: From the teacher. Can you
give us the Black perspective on
Toni Morrison, Huck Finn,
slavery, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
and others?
A: I can give you my
j)erspective. (Do not take the
burden of 22 million people on
your shoulders. Remind everyone
that you are an individual, and
don’t speak for the race or any
other individual within it.)
Q: Why do all the black people
Black Ink August 14,1991