IT IS UNDERSTOOD that not everyone is going to be on the same page about certain issues; that is the joy of being a student of the University. We are given the freedom and the voice that we are not always allowed to express elsewhere, but as college students we are given that right. Most importantly, we are given the right to have opposing opinions from others while still being able to maintain our composure — or so we should. We could at least be understanding, compassionate and sympathetic on issues that we may just not understand. Of course, as University students, we think we know everything, which gives us the right to walk with arrogance into subjects that we have no knowledge.
After doing my bi-monthly contributions, I have gotten a number of positive reviews from black students who understood where I come from. They enjoy my personal stories and share some of their own about how they could relate it to themselves in a way to be reminded that they are not alone in the struggle of finding and defining themselves. Sometimes they forget that they have a voice, or sometimes it’s just not heard and have nowhere to go. It’s something that we as black students have to remember: There will always be some number of issues that are our responsibility to manage. If we don’t, how can the struggle, even with ourselves, ever cease?
However, I understand that not everyone is aware of where I am coming from. If they cannot fully relate, then they cannot really understand. I am not attempting to address so-called minor issues in order to complain. I address these issues to let everyone know what is going on within the black community; not to create a sob story in order to gain sympathy or just to create an issue to have a battle within the University to obtain respect and recognition. It has nothing to do with that. It has to do with the privilege of having an equal voice and equal opportunities.
Sadly, many blacks at the University have accepted that things may be a little harder for them. It is just a tad bit difficult to understand if someone cannot relate, but they do have the opportunity to listen and try to show some concern. Not to be understanding as a non-black student — or for any culture, for that matter — or not to even care only shows a sign of ignorance. How can someone judge and assume facts merely on what they believe without relying on first-hand sources?
Of course, this is something that has been asked over and over, and we think that we got the idea that it’s not right to hate what you don’t understand. Well, we aren’t experiencing any hate, but hate is a close relation to ignorance, which we allow so easily. Some blacks may say that as long as nothing is said or directly done to anyone, then everything is okay, but how can we let the tension sit and brew? This is not a battle between minorities and those who are not; this is a battle for all of us to accept one another without allowing pre-conceived notions to get in the way.
I can openly say that I will never fully understand someone whose background, culture or interests are not similar to my own. That is not my own ignorance, but also my lack of relation, which I cannot control. Unless I look, talk, think and act like them, I can never get the full effect and the consequences of life that come along with it. Then again, if it is my choice to refuse to listen, neglect to show a sign of empathy, or even an amount of concern, then I am to blame for my own misguidance.
Putting it in black and white, there is no battle that black students face alone. Every culture has a way of defining themselves, but some do tend to struggle more so than others. Whether it’s struggling getting into a football game for having our bags checked, rejection getting into parties that are not our own, or our parties being shut down too early because of the over-abundance of security, many minorities are frustrated with the shortcomings and irritations entailed. Of course, we don’t have exactly the same problems, but we have some amount of knowledge as to where the other is coming from, especially when dealing with the same frustration. We can only ask ourselves how willing we are to accept other people for their differences, especially if we want them to accept our own.
Brooke Howard is the political action chair of the Black Student Alliance. She can be reached at blh7b@virginia.edu.
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