Asher, Class of 2021

Editorial Team — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:32:56 +0000

Honestly, the culture shock of going to a place where the population is mostly white, without family or prior friends was the most difficult experience I faced. Prescott is not necessarily separated by race, but it is also definitely very cliquey. There was a Black Student Union but once a certain student started attending and spreading rumors about me, I couldn’t go to meetings without people saying stuff or making me uncomfortable. So I’d say there are basically no resources specific to black students. Prescott doesn’t support students of color. The two male faculty members of color have done numerous atrocious activities without consequence or having to take responsibility. These teachers also choose favorites and then only show interest/support for these students. I’m actually a non-binary trans man and wasn’t able to finish my bachelor’s degree because of how little support the school gave me after covid. Until my junior year, I was an RA to pay for living arrangements, and then covid hit so I was forced to live with my abusive mother until she kicked me out. I was shelterless living in my car and more than 4 faculty members knew but did absolutely nothing/offered me no resources. Now they continue to call trying to charge me for my last class toward the degree after I already explained how I can’t even afford to live at the moment. When I tried explaining how much I’ve been going through and how hard life became after coming out as trans, my advisor cut me off to talk about a time she thought she was trans and told her mom only to find out she wasn’t. Then, she rushed me off the phone and didn’t reach out again. All I needed was for someone to help me sign up for one class and take out some loans to pay for it. Both of which are people’s jobs at the school, but who don’t care about me enough to help. I’ve never felt so tossed to the side and unseen by an institution but sadly am not surprised. I have never felt represented here. I wish so many things were different! I think for a start, not lying to us when we’re applying. I saw so many pictures of black students only to arrive on campus as one of two black students in my freshman year (2017) then in 2019 there were about 5-7 black students in the entire on-campus undergrad program. Falsely advertising an environment that doesn’t exist isn’t fair, and leaves those of us who are tricked by it to try creating it on our own. Unless you have a special interest in something at whatever college you are attending, go to an HBCU. I will forever regret not enrolling in one for my undergrad experience.

Forrest Norris, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:29:21 +0000

In the first semester, I attended my PWI, I had gotten into this very emotional and overwhelming argument with a friend of mine concerning slavery in film. They had thought that the film “Django” was an important and informative film, but me, being the black person, had expressed my discomfort with this film and how it was directed by a white male and was basically a white savior film, I didn’t think that slavery should’ve been the time period this director chose and overall was uncomfortable with the whole thing. This person ignored my concerns and my positionality as a descent of slavery in favor of this film and director. They later apologized and deeply reflected on this and have shown constant change but this has changed my opinion on them. I do not feel represented. I would not say Prescott is segregated but me and my other black friends do tend to hang out together because we find comfort in each other’s race and upbringing. As far as resources, there is a Black Student Union and we are always heard when we have transgressions. Our school addresses intersectionality in our classes and acknowledgments, but I’ve never really seen it play out in real-world situations, but that’s just me. Prescott gives students of color both financial and emotional support. However, I wish they would show more about the experience of the POC on campus and show more of us so that people wouldn’t be so scared to attend this PWI. If you are looking to go to Prescott, even though this school has it’s faults, people are so open and ready to support you in any way they can.

Prescott College

Asher, Class of 2021

Forrest Norris, Class of 2023