First-Year Student Journals : Chameka : Journal 9

16 February 2003

I am so glad to be a part of this journal writing project. I did not realize just how many people read my journal and I am glad that some people find it interesting. I would like to thank all of the people who send me messages and show interest in the university. Just remember that I am always open to answering any question about university life and how I deal with certain situations here. One of the main questions that most people ask is, “Do you encounter any problems with racism?” Even with all of the racially centered activity on campus now, I just want to say that I have never personally had any problem with racism, but the activity going on does affect everyone.

When people hear of all the problems on the news and in the papers it seems that the university as a whole is racist. But it’s not. The saying “One bad apple spoils the bunch” is true because now everyone views our entire school as “bad” and that is not the case. The few people who don’t understand that the color of a person’s skin doesn’t determine the person that they truly are should not be able to make it bad for everyone.

As an African American student I just want to say that I know there are people out there who don’t judge on the basis of color, and I won’t let these occurrences change the way I look at these people. It is hard though to look at the things that have happened and not wonder if people will ever mature enough and realize that no one person is better than any other. All people are made in a different design with different qualities that make them special. Everyone is different and here at The University of Texas at Austin it is kind of hard to understand these events with the plethora of cultures on campus.

It is so interesting that as African Americans we are given one month out of the year to learn, openly, about our culture and those who tried to make things better for us. Then you have those who feel like 28 days is too much and try to do their best to make the celebration one of sadness. Every year at this time we have everyone putting up the posters on black history (they will be taken down on March 1 or Feb. 28) and trying to make it seem as if the history of African Americans can be learned in the shortest month of the year. All that our predecessors went through to get us here at the university or wherever you life has taken you was not easy. So to let people just desecrate all that was worked so hard for is just not fair.

On Tuesday, Feb. 11, I attended the Texas Gospel Fellowship “Real World” Bible study and it was touching to see how much support that the African American community has from other people on campus. The intervarsity Christian group came and showed their support. I would like to thank everyone who supports African American students on campus, and one day we will be able to live together without the limitations of skin color.

Until next time. Remember that if you have any questions you can always send me an e-mail message.



	Chameka \| Profile \| Favorites \| Journal 7 8 9 Fall 2002 \| Home
	16 February 2003 I am so glad to be a part of this journal writing project. I did not realize just how many people read my journal and I am glad that some people find it interesting. I would like to thank all of the people who send me messages and show interest in the university. Just remember that I am always open to answering any question about university life and how I deal with certain situations here. One of the main questions that most people ask is, “Do you encounter any problems with racism?” Even with all of the racially centered activity on campus now, I just want to say that I have never personally had any problem with racism, but the activity going on does affect everyone. When people hear of all the problems on the news and in the papers it seems that the university as a whole is racist. But it’s not. The saying “One bad apple spoils the bunch” is true because now everyone views our entire school as “bad” and that is not the case. The few people who don’t understand that the color of a person’s skin doesn’t determine the person that they truly are should not be able to make it bad for everyone. As an African American student I just want to say that I know there are people out there who don’t judge on the basis of color, and I won’t let these occurrences change the way I look at these people. It is hard though to look at the things that have happened and not wonder if people will ever mature enough and realize that no one person is better than any other. All people are made in a different design with different qualities that make them special. Everyone is different and here at The University of Texas at Austin it is kind of hard to understand these events with the plethora of cultures on campus. It is so interesting that as African Americans we are given one month out of the year to learn, openly, about our culture and those who tried to make things better for us. Then you have those who feel like 28 days is too much and try to do their best to make the celebration one of sadness. Every year at this time we have everyone putting up the posters on black history (they will be taken down on March 1 or Feb. 28) and trying to make it seem as if the history of African Americans can be learned in the shortest month of the year. All that our predecessors went through to get us here at the university or wherever you life has taken you was not easy. So to let people just desecrate all that was worked so hard for is just not fair. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, I attended the Texas Gospel Fellowship “Real World” Bible study and it was touching to see how much support that the African American community has from other people on campus. The intervarsity Christian group came and showed their support. I would like to thank everyone who supports African American students on campus, and one day we will be able to live together without the limitations of skin color. Until next time. Remember that if you have any questions you can always send me an e-mail message.