In 1994, renowned college professor Nikki Giovanni published an awe-inspiring article. It contains guidance to black college students on how to academically apply themselves in college, and she teaches them how to deal with the ignorance of white people, from sharp tongued comebacks to gaining a professor’s respect. Along the way, the article “Campus Racism 101” states Giovanni has acquired a tenure, she has a teaching position for life, at the predominately white student body Virginia Tech (Giovanni 11). Nikki Giovanni’s “Campus Racism 101” uses logic when giving advice to black students on how to succeed in college, appeals to Giovanni’s credibility, and appeals to the emotions of racism all in order to educate how black college students need to deal with ignorance on a college campus. …show more content…
In “Campus Racism 101” Nikki Giovanni states that, “This world cannot allow white students to go through college without interacting with blacks in authoritative figures” (Giovanni 12). The Atlantic Online states that in 1994, the same year Nikki Giovanni published “Campus Racism 101,” only 11 percent of black people make up the college student body (Andrew Mcgill). All of these things considered, 1994 was the perfect time to write this article. Giovanni’s personal essay does many brilliant things in her article. She effectively ties in actual questions black students will face, gives advice on how to succeed in college, and gives points on how to gain your instructor’s respect. All of these things she states in the article will help any student in college. The only thing it does not do well is the length of the article. As a whole the article feels like it could have touched on a few more points, such as going in a little deeper on the positives of a college
“College campuses are not dominated by widespread racial/ethnic segregation and the racial/ethnic clustering that does occur isn’t impeding intergroup contact.” (578, Hoeffner and Hoeffner). Throughout the essay, the writer continues to provide facts and sources on the information that diversity is not a problem on college campuses. She quotes evidence that states that college students are getting a “variety of positive educational outcomes that result from being educated in a diverse environment.” (578, Hoeffner and Hoeffner).
In Campus Racism 101 Nikki Giovanni states that, “this world cannot allow white students to go through college without interacting with Blacks in authoritative figures.” (Writing on the River 12) The Atlantic Online states that in 1994, the same year Nikki Giovanni published Campus Racism 101, only 11 percent of black people make up the College student body. (Andrew Mcgill) All of these things considering, 1994 was the perfect time to write this article. Giovanni’s personal essay does many brilliant things in her article. She effectively ties in actual questions black students will face, gives advice on how to succeed in college, and gives points on how to gain your instructor’s respect. All of these things she states in the article will help any student in College. The only thing it does not do well is the length of the article. As a whole the article feels like it could have touched on a few more points such as going in a little deeper on the positives of a College
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is a prime example of Woodson’s argument on “miseducated” blacks. Although Thomas benefitted from programs like affirmative action, once he reached the high point in his career he supported legislature to end such programs. Hampton University and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities must take it upon themselves to teach their students the importance of contributing to their communities once they graduate and enter into the business world. Colleges like Hampton, Howard, Spelman and Morehouse have the opportunity to produce professionals that can restructure and save the black community. Students who graduate from these institutions have the resources and knowledge that are needed to revive the African American community and their economy. Black colleges must educate their students on the need for black businesses, role models and the importance of staying connected to their culture and community.
The preconceived notions we tend to burden can have a snowball effect, ingraining the same potentially damaging ideas into our children, grandchildren, and so on , especially because there is likely no recognition of an issue present in the first place. The white guy habitus we carry in our mind, generally unbeknownst to us, impairs the learning environment and too easily discredits qualified professionals that are women or of color. The bias we have towards white men in the classroom only contributes to the structural gender disparity that is apparent in the world, and particularly in the United States. Messner points out that nonwhite male professors are not only judged by students comparatively worse, but that judgements of white male professors are simultaneously boosted up in the student’s mind without their awareness. White male professors can easily capitalize on the advantage affecting their quality of teaching because their class
Imagine this; the year is 1836. You are a 17-year-old student interested in learning more about the world around you; however, such an opportunity won’t come your way because you are black. Due to this fact you have no hope of furthering your education past the reading, writing, and arithmetic their slave masters taught your parents. A mind is a terrible thing to waste. The minds of many African American’s go to waste due to individual ignorance of their people and thus of themselves. Historically Black Colleges and Universities were put into effect to educate the black mind and eliminate the ignorance. The discussion of whether Historically Black Colleges and Universities are still necessary in the 21st century has taken place in recent years. Within the discussion many debate that due to the fact that the world is no longer like it was in the 1800’s, the time period in which Historically Black Colleges and Universities were created, the purpose of them no longer exists. However, the cultural significance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities seems to be overlooked by those who argue their importance and relevance in a time where blacks have the option of attending predominantly white institutions (PWIs). The purpose and grounds on which Historically Black Colleges and Universities were developed are still being served. The need to increase efforts to not only rouse, but support Historically Black Colleges and Universities is necessary now more than ever in order to preserve our past, fulfill the purpose of our present, and ensure our future.
Similarly, research literature on the experience of women of color college students has placed emphasis on exploring women’s experiences with racism much more than their experiences with sexism. Recent studies have explored racism on college campuses in a variety of ways including, racial discrimination (Chao, Mallinckrodt, & Wei, 2012; Henson, Derlega, Pearson, Ferrer, & Holmes 2013; King, 2005), colorblind ideologies (Coleman, Chapman, & Wang, 2013), racial stereotyping awareness (Johnson-Ahorlu, 2013; Muñoz, & Maldonado, 2012) , typology of racial incidents (Harwood, Huntt, Mendenhall, & Lewis, 2012; Yosso, Smith, Ceja, & Solorzano, 2009) , racialized school spaces (Barajas & Ronnkvist, 2007), and internalized racism (Hipolito-Delgado, 2010). Findings from these studies suggest that a major implication of racism on college campuses is the impact these in...
Solorzano, D., Ceja, M., & Yosso, T. (2000). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial climate: The experiences of African American college students. Journal of Negro Education, 69(1/2), 60-73.
As an African American male, I experienced inequality, and judgment from individuals that have no idea what kind of person I truly am. As a youth, I received a lackluster education, which has resulted in me underachieving in a number of my college classes. It has come to my attention that other colored students are currently experiencing and receiving the same inadequate learning environment and educatio...
Institutionalized racism has been a major factor in how the United States operate huge corporations today. This type of racism is found in many places which include schools, court of laws, job places and governmental organizations. Institutionalized racism affects many factors in the lives of African Americans, including the way they may interact with white individuals. In the book “Drinking Coffee Elsewhere Stories” ZZ Packer uses her short stories to emphasize the how institutionalized racism plays in the lives of the characters in her stories. Almost all her characters experience the effects of institutionalized racism, and therefore change how they view their lives to adapt. Because institutionalized racism is a factor that affects how
Dear White People is a film that depicts the white framework of society that pertains to a prestigious college that is predominantly middle-upper-class, white, students. The film follows the perspective of several African American students as they try to develop themselves towards self-actualization despite the oppressive stereotypes that label and sets parameters of socially acceptable behavior. The film provides a great example of ethnic attrition in the character of Lionel Higgins, as well as using the conflict perspective in connection with racism, and provides examples of both individual discrimination, and institutional discrimination.
In recent years, a rise in verbal abuse and violence directed at people of color, lesbians, and gay men, and other historically persecuted groups has plagued the United States. Among the settings of these expressions of intolerance are college and university campuses, where bias incidents have occurred sporadically since the mid-1980's. Outrage, indignation and demands for change are the responses to these incidents - understandably, given the lack of racial and social diversity among students, faculty and administrators on most campuses. Many universities, under pressure to respond to the concerns of those who are the objects of hate, have adopted codes or olicies prhibiting speech that offends any group based on race gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. That's the wrong response, well-meaning or not. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects speech no matter how offensive its content.
This paper examines the struggle African American students are more likely to face at a predominantly white institution (PWIs) than at a historically black college or university (HBCUs). Each author has his or her own take on this hypothesis; most of the author’s studies suggest that African American students have a hard time adjusting to an environment at a PWI (Littleton 2003). However, African American students at HBCUs tend to be at ease with their learning environment. Though many of the author’s agree with one another there are other authors whose studies come to the conclusion that race is not a factor in college education anymore. That being the case on average African American population is approximately four percent at PWIs (Littleton 2003).
In the past, minorities have been under-represented and discriminated on college campuses. Most of this is the result of the Jim Crow laws of segregation, which gave African Americ...
Statistics show that black students are less likely to earn college degrees (Guiffrida & Douthit 2010). Black students are less likely to graduate than Whites at PWIs and may have a lower GPA. At first, many people wrote this off as them not being prepared academically. However, there are many other factors that influence their success at college that stems away from just the academics. Interaction with faculty, family, friends, and other peers in the Black community all contribute to their experience and success at college. The relationship with faculty is key component when looking at their success at school. Previous studies noted that Black students have a difficult time making connections with White faculty members, because they are concerned about the stereotypes the professors may have about them. However, through proper education, awareness, and truly listening to students’ experiences and concerns, this can change and White faculty members can serve as mentors to students of color. Faculty members need to keep an open mind and be aware of their own biases. Having a strong support system at home also contributes to Black students’ successes and retention rates. Family provides emotional, academic, and sometimes financial support. Participation in affinity groups also help Blacks integrate into the campus community. This provides them resources where they can share their experiences, connect
Adapting a multicultural perspective includes maintaining a unique understanding of one’s own cultural background and biases, and continuously striving to work through them. In the article, “White Professors teaching About Racism: Challenges and Rewards,” Smith and colleagues sought to address the challenges that white educators face when instructing multicultural courses, and to provide them with useful techniques to incorporate into their educational pedagogies. These challenges stem from their racial class orientation and can be summarized as fitting into one of three categories: (a) multiculturalism perfectionism, (b) multicultural impostor syndrome, and (c) multicultural projections (Smith, Kashubeck-West, Payton1, & Adams, 2017). Together