"C'MON AMEY," he said. "You know you don't belong at U.Va." Um, excuse me? Stunned, I interrogated him as to what exactly he meant by that. He -- a friend from Virginia Tech who spent one of his semesters at the University -- politely informed me that I was somehow not a member of the Cavalier family. He thought it to be a compliment that I had somehow risen above and was better than the rich, snobbish, arrogant flock of Wahoos he so vividly encountered during his stay. I chided him about stereotypes; he made a few more remarks and soon moved on in conversation. However, he left me not only with a bitter taste in my mouth, but with quite a few blazing thoughts about him and his words and a few realizations about where our mindsets must change.
Let's be upfront. Most people are aware of the reputation of the University that goes beyond being a top public school. As a matter of fact, I am offended when someone makes a reference to the University that I seem out of the picture because I am not white or rich, and I hope and pray that I have as few arrogant bones in my body as possible. I have no desire to be these things and am happy and blessed to be who I am (please see picture above). However, I am disgusted that the University is so tied to ideas stretching back to the Old South. What about me? I am here, I am now and I am the face of this University. Regardless of what people think, I worked hard to get here, and there is no way on earth I, or anyone else for that matter, should be stuck on our own potential because you don't necessarily belong.
In the midst of so many diversity issues surrounding our school, we have to be honest with ourselves. Our administration is working hard to implement ideas and programs to make a difference, but none of them will matter if we don't take possession of the goals of diversity and understanding. Change happens with people, not programs. The perceived face of this University will not reflect the many talents and gifts of who you are unless you get up and do something. Make a difference. Trust me; it is not a compliment to be told that the University is not the place for me when I clearly am here. This example only goes to show that there is more work to be done on Grounds.
The point of this is to say that as much as you may be upset with the people of the University, and even have some very negative thoughts concerning Thomas Jefferson, be all the more determined to make this place your home, especially if you don't fit into the mold of the University elite. And, of course, for those who supposedly fit that ridiculous stereotype, don't come back to U.Va. and remain self-centered and removed from what is going on. The world is a big place, folks, and the best time to break down barriers is now. Otherwise, there will be some hefty reality checks in the real world.
Hey, we've all had our ups and downs here. Some fall in love with the University, and some are determined just to pull through their eight semesters and get as far away from Charlottesville as is humanly possible. But if no one else tells you, I will. If you didn't belong here, you wouldn't be here, and the same goes for everyone else you will ever see walking across Grounds. Simply, we need to respect the fact that the University has every member of our community's name written on it, and that is something to be cherished and to be proud of.
Everyone always talks about this University being yours for the taking, but my lovely summer advice is to really take the message to heart this time around. For those just coming in, you've got all four years in front of you. For everyone else, you've got a wonderful opportunity to make a fresh start or tread your own path. No matter who you are, don't just play into the stereotypes because that is what you hear or even what you think you see. This isn't just Jefferson's University, and it's not our collective community's University -- this is your University, and you had better claim it, own it and believe that it belongs to you. Welcome home.
(Amey Adkins can be reached at aadkins@cavalierdaily.com.)
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