Being the only black person in a class

[ChieferSutherland]

I attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and as most people know, the campus is predominately white. I am a double major in Sociology and Political Science and in most of my classes I am the only black person, which subjects me to certain questions. Should I be offended that I get asked race specific questions or just answer them and take it as everyone trying to get an alternate point of view?

One professor assumed that I was behind Obama and with a lot of peers coming from upper-class backgrounds took the stance of Republicans when we had a debate. I stood my ground being one of only 3 people supporting the democratic party, but I feel like I am subject to scrutiny in a lot of these situations.

 

[Silver Surfer]

No, take this oppurtunity to sharpen on your race skills.....sometimes its easy to c00n in them situations...but dont!

 

[Darth Nubian]

It's just preparing you for when you are the only person of color in the office. Get your anti c00n game up and also learn how to stay mentally entertained.

 

[Hiphoplives4eva]

Unfortunately this is how it is in corporate america. Get used to it.

 

[Brown_Pride]

Had this same problem in a Christian Bible belt university i attended...
What I found was that you need to distinguish between ignorance and stupidity.

Ignorance is someone just not knowing things. (Do all blacks like chicken?)
Stupidity is having the facts or wisdom to reasonably arrive at the facts and still being a dypt shyt.

I found there are a lot, a FUGGIN LOT, of people who are really just ignorant and despite what you might think, they really just don't know that what they just said was some racist shyt. I always looked pasted those types of situations and took the opportunity to "educate" people as to what being a hispanic was.

on the other hand there were the out and out racist fukers who simply believed what they believe and for those people you do need to work on your answers if you desire to debate. The good news is since their arguments are usually based in ignorance/hate/fear you can point that out.

There is no academic joy greater than changing the views of an entire class.

hmmm also...
understand that, be they stupid or ignorant, before you have a chance to speak you're going to be in a negative light in most their eyes, if you come at the situation like a self righteous dyck then you'll stay that way. If you approach it with the desire to teach the ignorant ones they you really can make a difference in how not only YOU but other people like you are treated by some of these people.

for what its worth...

 

[acri1]

I used to hate that shyt, you get forced to represent "black people" instead of just your own opinion on something. Typically I didn't really bother saying much, not out of fear or anything but just not wanting to be bothered.

 

[Serious]

Try being a buff jock looking cat in math & science courses.


Hmm I should have taken another poli sci course this semester for the heck of it. I wouldn't really run into the same opposition as OP though, every professor out here has openly "liberal" stances. Or overwhelming lean to the left.......

It might be interesting if I went to school in AZ though

 

[Brown_Pride]

Try being a buff jock looking cat in math & sciences.


Hmm I should have taken another poli sci course this semester for the heck of it. I wouldn't really run into the same opposition as OP though, every professor out here has openly "liberal" stances. Or overwhelming lean to the left.......

It might be interesting if I went to school in AZ though

Most the teachers are liberal here too

It's our law makers that need to be choked out.

 

[BillBanneker]

I attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and as most people know, the campus is predominately white. I am a double major in Sociology and Political Science and in most of my classes I am the only black person, which subjects me to certain questions. Should I be offended that I get asked race specific questions or just answer them and take it as everyone trying to get an alternate point of view?

One professor assumed that I was behind Obama and with a lot of peers coming from upper-class backgrounds took the stance of Republicans when we had a debate. I stood my ground being one of only 3 people supporting the democratic party, but I feel like I am subject to scrutiny in a lot of these situations.

I always skipped class when they would have the racial discussions

 

[boskey]

1. Pick your battles. Don't argue ideas that you aren't that knowledgeable about or don't have any particular interest in just becuz its the "black" thing to do.

Keep it real for your own sake. Its not your job to school them...

2. If you want to speak generally for all black people its best to do it from a historical angle.

3. Never get angry. No matter what.

4. Never ever criticize a black person in front of the class. Except for OJ Simpson.

5. Never get angry.

Those are the rules that I followed.

 

[stealthbomber]

man i feel u op. i just had that same problem in my psych class 15 minutes ago. liberal white girls are the most blatantly racist people i ever met. and the sad thing is they think they're not racist..

bytch was saying that they dont hoard in africa because everyones poor and lives in huts

sometimes u just gotta let it go

 

[He Who Posts Well]

I never expericenced this but there are a lot of good suggestions in this thread. Just be yourself and don't try to feel the burden to represent the entire race with your opinions.

 

[Serious]

man i feel u op. i just had that same problem in my psych class 15 minutes ago. liberal white girls are the most blatantly racist people i ever met. and the sad thing is they think they're not racist..

bytch was saying that they dont hoard in africa because everyones poor and lives in huts

sometimes u just gotta let it go

reason #8837336

why I don't mess with white girls.......

 

[Blue Ivy Coli]

Give them hell. Exert your black dominance king.

 

[Dark Knyght]

I went to a very diverse college. But I majored in biology, so throughout my tenure I was in class with only cacs and asians. I was the only black guy in all my major classes Physics, organic chemisty, statistics, calculus and various genetics, evolution and immunology classes with labs to follow.

Needless to say, Back when I was in college I dressed like a typical NY thug, all black, baggy clothes, fitted hats, cornrows etc. I didn't talk much and stayed with the face. Mind you this was like 02-06ish. Don't judge me. I always looked like I didn't belong or "fit" in these classes stereotypically, because I was the only black person, a guy, and I dressed thuggish, but it didn't bother me, but I know the other students/ teacher felt that way in their mind. I would sit in class, and be the last person other students sit next to, unless the had no other choice. And even when they did they would inch their desks away from me somewhat, but try and play it off by sitting and moving the desk at the same time.

Cac and asian students used to stay having the face when test and term paper grades would come back, and they grades weren't any where near fukkin with mine. I used to be like when grades came back and I would see their faces . Best feeling in the world, trust me. All of a sudden, they want a nikka in they study groups and shyt. I was like