send news tips to the editor; thevoice.fsu@gmail.com | www.fsuvoice.com | August 24, 2011 | ThE VoiCE, For Students, By Students
Feeding into Stereotypes
Getting an eduction is as ‘real’ as it gets for many students
by Nike Pascal
Interim Copy Editor
These individuals are loud or rude for no particular
reason, unable to read, write, or perform basic math
and find nothing wrong with being ill prepared. They
seem not to know what is appropriate behavior whether
around fnends, teachers, the elderly or children. Wear
ing $150 sneakers and then complaining about having
to pay for a $25 book out-of- pocket. Barely coming to
class and when they do, they are normally unprepared
and have the nerve to blame the professor after receiv
ing a low grade.
Unfortunately, being
uneducated is a well-
known stereotype of
minorities and for some
reason or another, un
educated minorities are
considered “real.” Terms
like “acting white” and
“uppity” are still used
by people of color to
describe their educated
coimterparts.
But it is really the
educated colored man
or woman who is “real.” These individuals who pursue
this idea of “real” actually believe that being uneducated
is keeping them true to their culture. What these “real”
people fail to realize is that they are usually nothing
When individuaJs, regardless of race
or economic status, nurture their mind
all is possible,
The most any person
returning to their home
town can do is assist
those that are already
assisting therriselves in
improving their lives,
more than fimctional
illiterates. They are
too quick to leave the
pursuit of necessary
social reform on the
shoulders of educated
people in order to be
accepted into their peer groups.
No one person can change what so many minori
ties go through. It can only be accomplished with a
combined effort. The most any person, returning to
their home town, can do is assist those that are already
assisting themselves in improving their lives. At some
point, one needs to take responsibility for
their inactions. The multitude of successfiil
African-Americans should serve as proof
that anyone can change for the better. The
fact that some decide to ignore this makes
no sense. This form of “real” can lead to
a life of welfare, prison, poverty, or an in
ability to properly provide for a family.
How can this perception of “real” be a
thing of pride and a representation of be
ing true to ancestry? Slavery is part of the
history of many races and cultures. It was
a very lucrative business and according
to some historians, even people of color,
participated in the selling and buying of slaves. The fact
that slavery is in one’s past does not justify not tak
ing advantage of the numerous opportunities currently
available. Pick up a history book and read how people
of color were people of
economic progress, how
they conducted business
for gold, silver, spices
and other items of value.
People of color have a
history filled with evidence
of intelligence and prosperity. To navigate ships one had
to be knowledgeable in astronomy. In order to conduct
business transactions they had to be capable of reading,
writing and performing arithmetic. .They were accoun
tants, engineers and architects.
This notion of “real” that embraces one being unedu
cated, disrespectful, using obscene language for all to
hear, and other self-degrading behavior is ridiculous.
Choosing not to better yourself means one will forever
be dependent on someone else for survival. Leaving one
with little to no power to dictate how one lives. It will
leave individuals open to abuse and a permanent status
as a second class citizen. Instead of believing education
is for those who are “acting white”, “uppity” or for the
few that are considered “smart”, understand this, hu
mans are intelligent creatures by nature. When individu
als, regardless of race or economic status, nurture their
mind all is possible. Most smart people are ordinary
folks who, through hard work, dedication and trial and
error expanded their intellect. Be “real” with yourself,
stop this foolishness of comparing education to “acting
white” and make yours a priority.