Souleman Toure, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 03:17:15 +0000

I chose Bowdoin because I enjoyed my time when I visited. I felt like people really embraced me as a prospective student, and I thought if I received this comfort, and I wasn’t yet admitted it would only get better once I got in. That was the main thing that led me to Bowdoin. People were very generous with their time and gave me honest feedback about Bowdoin and the college process in general. I would choose Bowdoin again. I have met people that I will be friends with for life. It has been challenging in many ways, but overall, I think my time here has brought me a lot of joy. I appreciate the experience I have had at Bowdoin, and I think the community is a special one. Personally, I interact with lots of different groups on campus so the feeling of cliqueyness is not one I really resonate with. This answer can look different for different people. I can say there are groups that are maybe more homogenous and that people find similarities and identify with people who look like them. But I don’t believe that is a thing unique to Bowdoin. I think people mingle and move around spaces/people often at Bowdoin. We are not perfect, but I feel like the majority are open to meeting/engaging with people that look very different outside themselves. We have Black Men’s forum, there is a female version as well I believe. There are Students of Color in Computing and those are some that I know from memory. We have Africa Alliance and Soca/Caribbean Club which are not exclusive to Black students but are spaces where you will find a lot of Black students. There have been potlucks, fashion shows, “African weddings”, Lunches and Meet and Greets, and hangout/social events. These spaces are not always something I go to every week but when I do show up I am always welcome. In the last month, there has been a BSU x LASO Jersey Party, Black scholars night (weekly study together), Guest speaker Mr. Pious Ali, and a talk about Billie Holiday’s legacy. I think the administration listens a lot and tries to work with students of color. They are really open about feedback, but a response can be hard sometimes for them. I know there are things in place on campus to try and help black/POC students in a more proactive way. This weekend there is a POC retreat/getaway for the weekend. They try and provide resources as best they can and it’s again not perfect. But there is good intention and effort and more can always be done for sure, but the black/POC experience is not uniform. So, trying to do something for all students of color assumes a lot and might end up hurting some. It’s hard to say if I feel represented. I don’t know what goes on at other institutions, but I think Black voices at Bowdoin over my time here have grown. I think people are listening more and trying to understand better and make it an inviting space for all members of the community. We are a small portion, but sometimes less is more you feel me?

Precious Omomofe, Class of 2024

Editorial Team — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 03:13:35 +0000

From my experience at Pomona, it seems pretty good so far. Academic wise Pomona is very much up there and they have a lot of resources for students to make sure they can succeed and get the help they need. They have the QSC which is where a lot of Black people hang out, especially at night. My first semester we were all always there with the seniors and some of the juniors just doing work or chilling together. There are other resources like tutoring and mentoring and all that, and the professors are understanding. It also depends on which department you are in. I am in the science department. I know my professors are more understanding to a certain extent, but econ they are not as understanding. It also depends on your relationship with the professor. In terms of like, the racial culture, there are little microaggressions here and there, but they are not as bold as to say something big. And for me especially, I tend to keep my circle very POC; I surround myself with a lot of Black people and most of the people I talk to are Black. I have experienced microaggressions from people who come on campus because I work for PP athletics, so talking to other parents or adults who are white is where I have experienced microaggressions. I had an issue with a professor: he was not catering to the Black students, but we talked it out and we fixed it and everything. So there are definitely people here who will help you if you ever bring up an issue. The BSU, which I am in, has a lot of events and we encourage first years to join BSU so you can know the dynamic and everything. I feel like the Black people here all kind of know each other and we all hang out and look out for each other. It’s really nice because I feel like I have a community here. We all talk to each other and we collaborate. I have a lot of friends from the other 5Cs. The Black people here, even if you don’t know each other will still say “hi” because that’s just how it is here. Every school has its own issues with racism and anti-blackness, and Pomona definitely does have its issues but I feel like every college is about how you make the most of it, how you approach the problem, and how you almost live around the problem. I feel like a lot of the Black students here are very conscious of that so we try to make Pomona a better place for us and a more accommodating space for us. I like everyone I have met here, it does have its issues, but it is a good school.

Rachael Smith, Class of 2022

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:17:19 +0000

I don’t feel represented here. I would say Umich is definitely cliquey between races. There are resources, but I don’t really interact much because I’m a graduate student and they’re targeted toward undergrads. They try to have programs and stuff for people of color, but I’m not a person of color – I’m black. There’s a difference. People of color are racist against black people. I wish their programs weren’t so performative. Every program has a bunch of white people on the board and it’s like… okay. Once the Rackham graduate school put on their annual fall ball and the theme was, “party like the 1820s.” What was happening in the 1820s besides slavery? My advice for prospective students… You’re not going to feel included. You’re going to feel alone. Don’t let that discourage you.

Ataia Templeton, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:16:01 +0000

Every black student I know has their own experience with being singled out as black/other in the classes that are predominately white. Mine: I was in an upper-level French class and the professor was talking about slavery in the French DOMs, and throughout the lecture, every white person in the class took their time to stare at me when the Professor asked for thoughts or whatever. For the most part, it is cliquey, there are some interracial friend groups. There are many organizations that support students of color because the campus is so large. Often they’re student-led, but there are resources like Trotter and DEI (probably not the name) that focus on equity and inclusion. BSU is so amazing and the Department of AfroAmerican and African studies and its professors are literally the reason why I decided to not transfer. I wish the admin or the regents would put more effort into getting black students on the campus. A larger black student population could lead to improvements in how they support black students and also make the campus less white which is very necessary. I do not feel represented. As for other identities, if you are physically disabled, you may not be supported as much as you need. From what I understand, not every building is accessible for all. I know some physically disabled people on campus who get around fine, but I know it may still be a concern. Umich does have the Spectrum Center which was the first of its kind and it does a lot to support LGBTQ people on campus. Also, the campus has a sexual assault unit and three all-women dorms that are inclusive of non-binary females and transgender women. I will say though that the dorms need to be renovated ASAP, but that hasn’t been prioritized by the regents. If you are coming to UMich, get involved with BSU!! Be friends with black people that match your vibe and always pull the race card because no white person wants to be called racist and reminding most of them that they have privilege because they’re white is uncomfortable for them, so pull it.

Elijah, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:13:19 +0000

There are not really resources for black students, but there are some. There are a decent amount of clubs centered around black experience and black students, which I’ve had positive experiences with. It’s not strictly enforced, but you can definitely tell that people prefer to stick around people that look like them or share their experiences. UMich does not really support black students or students of other marginalized groups at all. Not any more than they do other students — which is not really at all. I wish there was more representation from our student body (if the interests are there) in the fields that we want to go in. Y’all do NOT ride for us when we need you to. As a black person, I feel a severe lack of representation, and on the individual level, I feel more like a number than anything else. If there’s one thing you should do, it is to find yourself. Focus on that from the beginning and you’ll have a lot fewer problems getting lost in the process. It’ll still (absolutely) happen, but you’ll be more ready in this case.

Cynthiana Desir, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:11:19 +0000

This is just my own experience as it might not relate to everyone who goes to a PWI, but the biggest thing I’ve noticed is that people won’t talk to me, or even interact with me at all. Being the only black woman in my classes, I’ve noticed that other students would rather climb across to the one empty seat in the middle of a row, rather than sit remotely close to me on the edge of an aisle, with plenty of open seats around me. And being a dark-skinned woman, it hurts even more that on the off-chance we’re approached by another student, they will immediately direct their attention towards my black friends with lighter complexions, and will not even acknowledge me in any way. I chose this school because of my faith, and because of the cheap cost of tuition compared to other universities. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and I thought I would be welcomed because of our shared beliefs. But after being here for only two semesters, it has proved to be the complete opposite of what I was expecting. I feel so alone in a place that I thought would bring me comfort. I would not choose this school again, even if it could save me money in the long run. From my point of view, it is segregated, but not intentionally. Many of my friends and other students of color on campus have felt similar feelings to what I feel, so we have found–or created–spaces where we take action to make ourselves feel comfortable: our safe spaces. There is no intention to segregate, but because we do not feel welcome by the majority, we stick together with others of our same race and/or ethnicity and find joy within our minority. As a woman, the only support that I’ve seen are booths advertising the resources for those who have been sexually assaulted. Other than that, I myself have not seen any support for women. Additionally, I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, but I can say that the school has done close to nothing for those a part of the community. The only support demonstrated was between the students towards each other. There are no resources that I know or have heard of specifically for black students. There are offices such as the Multicultural Student Services Center which provides both financial and general aid for students of color, and the newly-opened Office of Belonging. Choosing whether or not to attend a PWI is ultimately up to you and what college you can see helping forge your career path. Going to a PWI has its benefits: you get the chance to disrupt white spaces and reshape them into simply being spaces, claiming and creating the future our Civil Rights leaders wanted us to have. I know for me, it has been taxing on my mental health, but I have been able to make connections and have opportunities that I’ve never had before. But on the other hand, you know if you are ready to handle disruptions to your peace if any were to arise. However, take what I say with a grain of salt because all PWI’s are different and contain different experiences, and some may come with more positives than negatives. This is just my perspective stemming from my PWI experience so far.

Nate Byrd, Class of 2022

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:08:59 +0000

I chose BYU because I was heavily influenced to attend by my family, friends, and church. I do not feel represented here. BYU is very segregated between races. There is a Multicultural Student Office, but their resources are minimal and there is nothing specific for Black students. There is a Black Student Union, but we support each other . The school is not involved in supporting us. BYU is absolutely not supportive of students of color with other marginalized identities. There are individual faculty members who are supportive if you know where to find them, but University policy has a dress code and a ban on LGBTQ+ dating. I would love it if there was a space where Black Students could gather together. I would also love to see a system put in place to report and address racism and discrimination on campus. If you do decide to come here, find the Black Student Union and make that your community. There is a lot of pressure here to assimilate, so if you find your community quickly it will save you a lot of discomfort and trauma. Good luck!

Dozie Itie, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:07:12 +0000

Once, when walking to the library at San Diego State, I was told by the police officers that I matched a description and was stuck in a police car for over an hour. Never think your education or your attempt to get it will change how society looks at you. I chose San Diego State because I thought it would cover my expenses and I thought my adviser was good, but I would probably not choose it again. My school doesn’t have the services I need. There are resources, but it’s still very small. I can get them, but generally, I have to look for them. Either through emails or by my other black colleagues. San Diego State is starting to support black students. We have an area for black students, and there are programs, but it’s just starting to happen. I think San Diego State tries to be supportive of women, the disabled, and LGBTQ+ as well. Overall, I do not feel represented. I am the only black person in my cohort or graduate program. Basically, I wish they would try to incorporate more people of color and make sure the faculty is behind what the school is doing. If you are a prospective student, know that your advisor will say they understand, but they really don’t.

Darian Jacob, Class of 2024

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:04:25 +0000

I’d say many of the resources for Black students here at UL are in the form of close-knit relationships. UL is not cliquey at all. My college is, and always has, made it a goal to design with inclusivity. For me, this means I have an opportunity to be heard and consulted based on my unique experience. I feel represented. They are very supportive of students of color with other identities as well. I want prospective students to know that our culture is one of tenacity, creativity, and perseverance. I’ll always know to live by that.

Anonymous, Class of 2023

Editorial Team — Thu, 14 Apr 2022 04:02:59 +0000

With the Student Resource Building’s designated cultural spaces, it is nice to have a space of your own with people of similar cultural backgrounds and experiences. Although, it does not seem to promote much mingling. I do think there are some students where there is no such thing. Some of the clubs on campus are and can be diverse and inclusive. Resources include the Office of Black Student Development, National Society of Black Engineers, Black Women’s Health Club, BSU, and the designated study room in the Student Resource Building on campus. The OBSD does a great job at providing opportunities, safe space, and mentoring for the Black students on campus. However, I can not speak for my counterparts. I do believe that UCSB could be doing a much better job at supporting students of color by hiring more Black and brown professors, staff members, and faculty on campus. Representation matters, especially in STEM. I chose UCSB for its Environmental Department, and I have only ever had one Black male professor teach me in the Environmental Science Department– Professor D. Pellow, an extraordinary scholar, and individual. I do not feel as represented as I would like. Being a mixed Black womxn there are few of us on campus it feels. The demographic of campus is visibly predominantly white, Asian, and international students. The Black community on campus is pretty close and tight-knit from what I have seen in my year here. They try to reach out to one another and propose bonding times, a safe space to ask questions, and genuine friendships. I suggest being vocal and reaching out to these individuals. It will make your experience more enjoyable when you can find a familiar face in the crowd.