Chester County, Pennsylvania’s public education system afforded me the opportunity for an enriched academic experience, as well as an opportunity to connect socially with people of all different races. Coming from a family who pushed academics, I always found myself to be one, of three black students in my honors and AP classes. I believed I could not relate with the majority of black students socially and academically, which is why I separated myself from them. In the rise of my freshman year I joined the Black Student Union (BSU) hoping to learn more about black culture and acquire new relationships with my black peers. Fortunately, the mission of the BSU was to create awareness about black culture, in hopes to diminish prejudice not only in the school but also in the community. The mission of the BSU reminded me Of Dr. Cornel West, who has broken many Barriers from attending and graduating from both Harvard and Princeton University, to being a renowned philosopher today. He is not only admired because of his great leadership skills but also his ability to connect with people of all races.
Dr. Cornel West was born on June 2, 1953 in Tulsa,
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Bennis states, “being active and imaginative rather than passive and habitual” (Bennis, 1989, p. 71). Anticipation in my eyes is being on top of things, constant working towards improvements, rather than waiting around. In the case Dr. West does a great job with being step ahead and not just letting life pass him by. In an interview discussing his recent departure from Harvard to Princeton west states, “I think people should just be themselves - and by that I mean take seriously the Shakespearean imperative ‘To thine own self be true’ (Hamilton 2002). Believing in oneself keeps people on their toes constantly motivating themselves and staying on top of things. Whereas the less motivated will not anticipate thing and become very
Edmund Drago’s book provides a look into one of the first black educational institutions, The Avery Normal Institute in Charleston Virginia. This book discusses how this school was made too elitist, due in large part to the high-class nature of Charleston, Virginia, which segregated the students from the white people of the town as well as the black people of the town. They were separated from the white people because, while they were more elite than the common black citizen, and getting an education, they were also black, so many southern people did not want to socialize with them. Black citizens who did not attend the Avery Normal Institute were not fond of the students there because they struck them as too elitist. Drago’s argument is that the elite nature of this school allowed for the development of black leaders, who were crucial to the later transformation of the town and the destruction of racial barriers so many years later.
She states, “The reason for the more overall positive experience for Black students attending HBCUs than those attending PWIs can closely be linked to the unique institutional climate that HBCUs provide for students of color.” She talks about how HBCUs foster a “more encouraging and understanding for Black students” (Biehlmann) because of the higher percentage of Black faculty and administrators as role models. Biehlmann highlights how the presence of Black professors and administrators creates a setting that is in tune with the “specific knowledge of the Black experience in America,” (Biehlmann). Also, Blacks are the majority at HBCUs which can help them feel more comfortable and involved in their classes and campus. Whereas if a Black student attended a PWI, the student would feel alienated and disconnected from faculty, their White peers, and the campus
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States founded primarily for the education of African Americans. Prior to the mid-1960s, HBCUs were virtually the only institutions open to African Americans due to the vast majority of predominantly white institutions prohibiting qualified African Americans from acceptance during the time of segregation. As such, they are institutional products of an era of discrimination and socially constructed racism against African Americans (Joseph, 2013). Successfully, millions of students have been educated in spite of limited resources, public contempt, accreditation violations, and legislative issues. The purpose of this research paper is to discuss
After graduating from MHS, the next challenge in my mission to ascend from my circumstances was to become the best student at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). With consideration of my mother not graduating high school, it was imperative and self- driving that I reward her sacrifices by excelling in my academic career. Eager to outperform, consequently, I earned the Smeal Merit Diversity Scholarship for three consecutive years (Freshmen-Junior) at Penn State. This prestigious scholarship is only awarded to the top five minority business students at Penn State. In addition to my academic successes, I became very active on campus and served as a leader at the top of four different campus-organizations.
The Union victory in the Civil War prompted the abolition of slavery and African American’s were granted freedom, along with rights that should have been there from the start, however, white supremacy overpowered in the South, forcing African Americans back into a state of slavery. The Reconstruction era, the postwar rebuilding of the South, proved to be an attempt towards change in the lives of African Americans but the opportunities were only available for a limited time. African Americans had hopes of a new South after the Civil War was fought yet that was only accomplished to a certain extent. African Americans have always faced discrimination in society, for that same reason they weren’t accepted into Congress. The graph shown in Document
Anthony Mize Jr. is currently the Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion at Queens University of Charlotte. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Communications with a concentration in Integrated Marketing Communications and a minor in Music from The Tennessee State University and is currently a graduate student at Northeastern University working on his Masters of Education degree in Higher Education Administration. Mr. Mize’s undergrad background consisted of up to 13 different student clubs and organizations where he held multiple leadership roles. As a student, he also gained early professional experience from being involved in students affairs/activities and residence life. He is the founder of a male empowerment project
Winter of 2008, Black History Month, and my third grade music teacher, announces, “Stand up if you would have been a victim of segregation,” following with, “Now, everyone look around.” February. The month of Rosa Parks, “I Had A Dream,” marches, and sit-ins. The month I had begun to despise greater each year. The month where I would be chosen to lead many readings and join classroom discussions, as if my being ‘black’ would provide some clarity that would enhance the learning experience for my fellow peers.
There has been several instances on campus through the history of black student life that has questioned your ability to value our presence. In 1988, the Black Student Union organized a “Day of Outrage Against Racism” that gathered 275 students to protest against racism on Bascom Hill, in response to actions by the fraternity Zeta Beta Tau as they staged a mock slave auction and made pledges blacken their faces and wear Afro wigs. In 2011, there was a mock lynching on Langdon Street. University officials were notified of a life-sized black Spiderman doll that was hung by the neck from the balcony of an apartment building, which depicted lynching.
I have had the great privilege and blessing of being an African American female in America. Most people would consider this a curse because of the difficult and challenging journey, but I consider it a blessing. Being an African American female has made me strong and resilient. I stand on the backs of my ancestors who have conquered immense struggle and misfortune but still manage to survive and thrive. African Americans are academics, scientists, inventors, entertainers, and much more.
How much of American history do you know? Black history is a part of America’s history, but why is it not deeply taught in schools? In schools we often talk about white American leaders or wars America has won, but not much history of other cultures in America. We may hear a little information about certain minority leaders who fought for a change, but not much facts. If today’s youth aren’t being taught about the thing’s their ancestors have gone through and all the things that has happened and why, many will grow up ignorant.
Perhaps the most significant event that occurred on October 7, 2015 was the exclusive screen of Finding the Gold Within in the W.V.M. Fines Arts Center. This film touched my soul because it revealed the concerns of young, black males at predominately white institutions. Although the students encountered similar problems as students at historically black colleges, their struggles differed due to the fact that racism was one of the greatest obstacles during their college experience. In addition to the discrimination and the racial undertones in the academic institution in which the males attended, the youths had to learn how to balance their internal conflicts as well. One of the greatest conflicts that continue to affect the African American
Prejudice Against African Americans Argumentative Essay In To Kill A Mockingbird, there is an inherent prejudice against African Americans, which is discussed by Harper E. Lee. This is still present in modern day society. On a micro level, To Kill A Mockingbird shows discrimination through Tom Robinson an African American man having his word of less value, than two Caucasian people in court . And Scout saying “nigger” without thinking, showing her internal prejudice.
Martha Peraza SOC 3340 Inequality in Education California State University, Bakersfield Abstract In the United States, there exists a gap in equality for different demographics of students. The factors contributing to educational disadvantages include socioeconomic struggles, gender of students, language or culture, and particularly for the scope of this paper, race.
I want to help the black community excel and the study of sociology encompases the study of race and ethnic relations and the patterns within different ethnic communities to give me the skills to do so. Having this knowledge will help me be a successful and articulate in my profession. Not only would my work inside Howard’s classrooms help me to achieve my goal of becoming an activist, but Howard’s student life and the surrounding D.C. area would offer me a community of support and unity. An HBCU environment is ideal for my education and personal growth because of the professional career I plan to have and because of the the like-minded individuals that strive for and support social justice for the black
As the vice president of the Black Student Union (BSU) I’ve created lectures and lesson plans for club meetings where we invite students from all different backgrounds to discuss today’s issues. Currently the BSU works to foster a sense of unity within my school’s black community; however, I’ve been working to transform BSU into a forum for all people to share their ideas and beliefs. Ethnic diversity isn’t my only goal at BSU. My hope is that this club will promote equality, diversity of thought, and the unhindered flow of ideas through my peers. I have also taken my leadership skills out of the classroom and onto the track.