Belonging

Yesterday I posed a question… “what does it mean to be a student of color on an American college campus in 2011.” This query was prompted by recent events at my alma mater and current place of employment, the University of Pennsylvania. Over the weekend, a student was verbally assaulted by a small group of his peers. This student decided to write an article about the incident, and how, after approaching him in a disturbing manner, speaking in a mock slang, the students he encountered then asked if he belonged at this school. These students, acting foolish, taking on caricatures that they’d seen on TV as a way to make themselves feel empowered in their drunken moment, at the expense of another human who was simply walking home, asked whether he belonged at Penn. What a funny world we live in.

I’ve studied and written at length about race. I’ve often wondered why others have not, because for me, in many ways, its been therapeutic. My awareness serves as a constant reminder that we can not claim to be post-racial or colorblind without first coming to terms with our racialized history. Questioning whether a student belongs has nothing to do with SAT scores, income level, country of origin, ability, or anything else. These students knew nothing about this man, other than he had brown skin.

If I leave you with nothing else, please understand that if you are a student of color on a college campus, you belong. Never question that. Never doubt yourself. If you run into academic issues, financial issues, etc., you can overcome them. If you begin to feel like you are less than someone else, simply because of your ethnicity, that’s a much heavier burden to bear. And quite frankly, it’s simply not fair for you to carry this. So don’t. As the elders say, “keep your eyes on the prize.” In my view, people only attack others when they themselves are insecure. Our 2011 America is much different than that of 1965. America in 2042 is predicted to be majority minority. If we are to ever become a true democracy perhaps, rather than having previously marginalized minority populations question themselves, we should be asking students who hurl such irresponsible, racist attacks whether they belong.

TDG: Colorblind society?

What does it mean to be a student of color on an American college campus in 2011? I’ll tell you why I’m asking this question tomorrow, but for now, just think about your answers…

TDG: It’s Never Too Late

Today’s entry is going to be a little longer, because I have to tell you this story. Yesterday I sat in on my third or fourth session of a doctoral class taught by advisor. She had invited me to unofficially join the class after she and I had a meeting about halfway through the semester. I thought… “it’s too late for me to do this class,” for two reasons. First, as I said, it was the middle of the semester. Second, I’m done with coursework for my program (so why would I want to go to another class… lol!). But I trust my advisor (she’s been extremely supportive of my work from day one), so I started going to the class a few weeks ago.

It was my turn to present on my dissertation proposal yesterday, to get feedback from the group. What I left the room with was a ton of helpful criticism, additional resources to check, ideas to explore, and suggestions to help frame my approach. This came through my advisor and about a half dozen of the other students. I’d been working on my topic for some time now and thought that I had a firm hold on what I’m trying to do. In some ways, I do, but this experience helped me take on new perspectives, which is what the process of learning is all about. So, as another lesson, know that it’s never too late to get help… whether you think you need it or not. (But, as you really start preparing for your final exams and you clearly see things that you need to improve, don’t just sit there and hope for a miracle. GET HELP!)

TDG: Money Time

For many college students, finals are quickly approaching. You can’t wait for them to arrive to start your serious preparation. It should have already begun.

TDG: Quotable

I’m really tryna make it more than what it is, cuz everybody dies but not everybody lives. Words for the weekend from Drake and Nicki.

TDG: Keeping it real(alistic)

Who’s to say what should be the limit to your goals? Someone has the next big thing, whether it be in the music industry or the neuroscience lab. Maybe it will be you. But as any of the current big things will tell you, nothing happens overnight. Working toward your goals is a steady process. Plan accordingly and pay attention as you go. Before you know it, your labor will pay off; you’ll be on another level, doing it bigger and better.

TDG: Step by step

Goals are great. They help you figure out where you want to go. But the more important thing that you must ask yourself (and answer!) is how will you get there. Otherwise, your goals will simply remain goals… potential energy rather than kinetic change.

TDG: Timing, Part 2

If you’re always early you won’t be late. This is a strategy I adopted a few years ago after constantly finding myself arriving to events shortly after they had started. My goal is to now get there 5-10 minutes early. But it can’t simply be a goal… it also has to have a plan. More on that tomorrow.

TDG: Timing

Better late than never. (That’s today’s lesson + an apology for it being delivered at 8:30pm).

TDG: Wisdom for the weekend

You know the old story about “slow and steady winning the race.” Well, it’s true. But it also requires persistence. So persist… and progress!