What Happened After a 16-year-old Chose FAMU Over Harvard

[Cabbage Patch]

Notice that out of all the testimonies you find on the internet of blacks claiming to be isolated or whatever at harvard/yale, they are always talking about what they THINK are going through people's heads. You don't hear about them actually going up to these white students and trying to get to know them, which in turn would allow the whites to get to know the blacks as well. You see the blacks talk very passionately about how no one likes them or this other yadda. When in all actuality the reason why no one likes the majority of these black students is because they isolate themselves. I'm very confident of this because I go to a school with a vast majority of white students and I never feel isolated. (and no I have not espoused any of my political beliefs either. We just have normal conversation)

Is that what happened with Michelle?

It's not the end of the world no. But its already difficult enough being a young black man in certain fields. You said yourself "if they don't want you they will look for a reason". I was only saying don't give them a reason.

Understood, breh.

 

[bigDeeOT]

Who's michelle? obama?

 

[Cabbage Patch]

Who's michelle? obama?

Yes.

 

[KenyaDoll]

Perfect example of having the wrong people in his ear. The professional world don't care about your religious life, the simple fact he has a lapse in enrollment may stop a future hire. Regardless of the well documented racial issues on Ivy League campuses having the opportunity to do so is for majority of people a once in a lifetime thing. Generations of families lived and died without that opportunity.

Its also insane that he stopped school to follow a spiritual path. That's all fine and dandy, but they elders in his life should have told him to finish what he started first. I applaud his spiritual pursuits, but not taking these opportunities my hinder this young man in the future.

I wish him the best though.

Precisely. I refused to let potentially racist people run me away from an opportunity that most people will never get. I'm far too strong for that and considering the fact that my ancestors endured FAR more blatant racism and still managed to make it through these institutions, how could I possibly be too afraid to even try?

 

[bigDeeOT]

Precisely. I refused to let potentially racist people run me away from an opportunity that most people will never get. I'm far too strong for that and considering the fact that my ancestors endured FAR more blatant racism and still managed to make it through these institutions, how could I possibly be too afraid to even try?

Yeah I think if all our ancestors could decide whether or not to go to harvard where people may not like you, or to not go to harvard at all, the answer is clear. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

 

[theworldismine13]

Notice that out of all the testimonies you find on the internet of blacks claiming to be isolated or whatever at harvard/yale, they are always talking about what they THINK are going through people's heads. You don't hear about them actually going up to these white students and trying to get to know them, which in turn would allow the whites to get to know the blacks as well. You see the blacks talk very passionately about how no one likes them or this other yadda. When in all actuality the reason why no one likes the majority of these black students is because they isolate themselves. I'm very confident of this because I go to a school with a vast majority of white students and I never feel isolated. (and no I have not espoused any of my political beliefs either. We just have normal conversation)

i agree that those testimonials videos are corny and useless, and i agree that black students need more confidence and stop wallowing but on the other hand it is true that you can get isolated in a campus, not just black students but anybody for different reasons, i think the black students are isolated but i dont think they need to make videos about it

and also the AA thing is very real, i dont think it should stop anybody but in office politics the idea that you are there because of AA can hurt you politically, its one of the reason im against AA

 

[KenyaDoll]

i agree that those testimonials videos are corny and useless, and i agree that black students need more confidence and stop wallowing but on the other hand it is true that you can get isolated in a campus, not just black students but anybody for different reasons, i think the black students are isolated but i dont think they need to make videos about it

and also the AA thing is very real, i dont think it should stop anybody but in office politics the idea that you are there because of AA can hurt you politically, its one of the reason im against AA

I agree with the bolded. I can say from experience that attending a PWI can be an isolating experience for many different reasons.

 

[bigDeeOT]

Yeah I don't doubt people are judging them based on the color of their skin. I think blacks should actually use that as a reason why we shouldn't have AA anymore. As long as we have AA it will persist. No ifs and buts about it

 

[bigDeeOT]

I agree with the bolded. I can say from experience that attending a PWI can be an isolating experience for many different reasons.

If I attend a school in nigeria I might feel isolated too just because I'm not familar with their culture. It wouldn't be because the nigerians are purposely isolating me. These "I too am harvard" people are trying to give the impression that whites are excluding them out of everything like its some form of oppression.

 

[KenyaDoll]

Yeah I don't doubt people are judging them based on the color of their skin. I think blacks should actually use that as a reason why we shouldn't have AA anymore. As long as we have AA it will persist. No ifs and buts about it

No. I absolutely do not agree. Getting rid of affirmative action will not change anyone's opinions about Black people. So AA is just fine.

 

[bigDeeOT]

But on what basis would someone claim that a black person doesn't really belong at Harvard, if there is no affirmative action?

 

[theworldismine13]

No. I absolutely do not agree. Getting rid of affirmative action will not change anyone's opinions about Black people. So AA is just fine.

i dont think it will change anyone's opinions either, but people should stop acting like there is no cost to AA, i dont think its necessary and i dont feel the political cost is worth it

 

[KenyaDoll]

If I attend a school in nigeria I might feel isolated too just because I'm not familar with their culture. It wouldn't be because the nigerians are purposely isolating me. These "I too am harvard" people are trying to give the impression that whites are excluding them out of everything like its some form of oppression.

It could be because you don't know the culture, but speaking from what I know about some Nigerians, you could also purposely be isolated because you are a Black American (if you are in fact a Black American).

You are trying to act like there is only one thing that can contribute to feelings of isolation when in fact it is usually a combination of many different things (the individual, the culture of the school, other students, and etc.).

 

[theworldismine13]

But on what basis would someone claim that a black person doesn't really belong at Harvard, if there is no affirmative action?

they will feel that a black person doesnt belong anyway, they dont need a logical reason, but the thing is AA gives them logic and facts to back up their feelings, because it is actually true that a lot of black people would not have made it to harvard without AA

 

[KenyaDoll]

i dont think it will change anyone's opinions either, but people should stop acting like there is no cost to AA, i dont think its necessary and i dont feel the political cost is worth it

In my personal opinion, alleviating inequality and leveling the playing field are worth the cost of what a few numbskull will think. Instead of trying to get rid of AA, we should encourage and support students to get higher GPAs and higher test scores so that the numbers can refute any affirmative action claims.

We can agree to disagree because we clearly won't change each other's minds about this particular topic.