When Governor George Wallace stood on the steps at the University of Alabama to prevent two African Americans from entering the school, we at least, knew from whence he cometh. Today African Americans are allowed to attend the school of their choice but with some very serious consequences.
They are isolated, treated poorly, not given the full assistance of administrators, and just plain made to feel uncomfortable. This mistreatment is probably perpetuated by a few bigots on campus but it is enough to cause stress and concern. I guess when affirmative action was implemented, the psychological aspect never was addressed and now that Ward Connelly has gotten affirmative action abolished, it appears that nobody cares about the psychological well being of African American kids anymore.
They are thrown into a hostile environment where bigots are lurking in the shadows to wreck havoc on their lives under the guise of having fun. Some of these people are KKK evil. This system of education is flawed to the max because many of the African American students will never see or interact with their white classmates again. So Mad Man's question is, why go through the hassle at this stage of your life?
African Americans who refuse to support HBCU's are missing a very serious opportunity to provide a quality education for their children to grow and be nurtured in the most positive of ways. During segregation, when the only choice was an education at a Historically Black College and University, African Americans attended these schools in droves and went on to attend graduate school at predominately white institutions after segregation and performed well beyond anyone's expectations.
But, when they arrived at those predominately white schools they had that get out of my "bleeping" way attitude / confidence, I am here to learn and will not be taking any crap! Seventeen year old college freshmen will not do this and so they hunker down and live in isolation while accepting whatever negative insult, whether overtly or subtlety, that is thrown their way. It would be very interesting to hear what African Americans in graduate school would have to say about their experiences on campus. They will tell you that "they walk the walk and talk the talk" and will kick anybody's ass who dares to get in their way.
Sidebar: Unfortunately, this take no crap posture is seen in most African American men and we all are witnessing today what is happening to them.
Some may say that integration is necessary to create assimilation but at what cost to African American children. How many are being lost in the labyrinth of racism and intolerance. You cannot defend the fact that this type of environment does not leave long lasting scars while diminishing one's academic growth and self worth.
It is obvious to all that what occurred at the University of Oklahoma was not an isolated incident and it continues to happen at predominately white colleges and universities everywhere. Let's be honest, the subtle and not so subtle racism occurs all over America even at the high school level and yet, African Americans clamor to be a part of this educational system. Even though they didn't really mean it but, " a separate but equal education" might not be a bad idea for young African American children.
On the other hand, if America's politicians and some white parents stop perpetuating racist beliefs, all of America's children could grow in an equally stimulating educational environment. Here, Mad Man goes again, "playing the race card". The problem with many Americans is that they not only don't want to play the race card, they won't even join the discussion. I know that many white people are trying to forget the past because indeed it was ugly, but then there are those who keep America's ugly past alive for their own benefit because once all Americans conquer this thing called "RACE RELATIONS", who knows how much greater this country can be.
Great Read!
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