Why I chose to attend Benedict College a historically black college- as a white person In 2012 before losing my mother I made a promise to her that I would go back to College. When I was considering where I wanted to go to college, racial demographics were never a factor for me. I ended up at Benedict where the majority of students are black and I am among a small minority of white students. When I decided to attended Benedict, I knew going in that I would be a minority but I really didn’t know what this would mean on a day to day basis over the course of four years. Now after a years in, I’ve learned a lot about myself and about the black community. I’m more comfortable with myself and more confident about who I am because I’ve been forced to answer, to myself and to others, why I’m here. I’ve learned about the many challenges that you never have to think about if you’re not a minority and the kinds of questions and obstacles you face from not being able to easily blend in. Fortunately, I grew up in a home in Orangeburg South Carolina where race was never an issue. It was never pointed out and it was never discussed. My Mother taught me from a young age that different people had different physical features that were irrelevant to the value of the person. Growing up I thought everyone shared my views. I’ve learned in the past Thirty Eight years that I’ve been alive, however, that this is not the case and that people have different life experiences and different views based on those experiences. So how did I get here? When I started my college search in late 2011, as I promised my mama I would do I looked at schools located in cities I thought would be exciting places to live I narrowed my search to Moorehouse, in Altanta Ga, Clark Atlanta, in Atlanta Ga, Benedict College, in Columbia, Uinversity of South Carolina, Columbia Allen University Also here in Columbia, Philadelphia University, and American University in DC. My older Cousin Jan, My Aunt Sherly, friend Bruce, and friend Darris all gave me advice that ultimately helped me decide my college future. Some said I should apply to The University of South Carolina, as a “stretch school” that would likely be hard, or a stretch, for me to get into. I decided to apply and was excepted to Benedict and decided to enroll as a way to step out of my comfort zone and experience being a minority. I thought Benedict, Allen, Moorehouse, or Clark Atlanta would teach me important life lessons that I could never get at a predominantly white institution such as The University of South Carolina. My Aunt suggested that I go to Columbia Bible College or U S C, but I’d never considered attending either of the schools she suggested. I was more focused on applying to schools that where interested in recruiting me because truly I was white. Even though they would never admit it, In August 2012 I decided on Benedict College and committed to it. Everything seemed to be pointing me toward Benedict. My own thoughts and my goals appeared to coincide. Benedict offered me a scholarship that covered a portion of the tuition and I have to pay for the rest. It was more money than U.S.C. had offered me, which was $ 0.00. It was a no brainer; I accepted Benedicts offer. Some friends and family immediately questioned my decision. Some dismissed it as a joke. Black friends and acquaintances laughed at the prospect of my attending a mostly all black college. White friends and acquaintances were confused about why I would want to go. My Best Friend, who’d always encouraged me to make my own decisions, worried about the prospect of my being a member of a minority group for four years and questioned whether I could handle it. I knew attending a black college would be different and I prepared myself for the challenge. It was not until I visited the campus on “accepted students’ day” that I learned what HBCU stood for. I had no idea that Benedict was an officially designated “Historically Black College or University” and that there were 106 other HBCUs around the country. Initially coming to Benedict was, as I predicted, outside of my comfort zone. I have been stared at more frequently than I had ever experienced. I know I am different and some people on campus still don’t like that. For the first time I was asked for a “white person’s” opinion in class. Being different was not something I was used to. Having classmates that share my love of learning has helped made me feel emotionally supported. The camaraderie and companionship that comes with being part of a group of students that really want learn and not joke, just get by, or play around has become a daily source of encouragement. Now as my second sumester at Benedict comes to a close, I’m more grateful for every day I’ve spent here. I appreciate the experience, and the challenge, of being automatically viewed within a certain stereotype by some people and being able to challenge or change those views. It gets tiring and uncomfortable sometimes but it has taught me a lot and helped me grow. I have perspectives on American race relations, history, and the oppression of black people and that I never had growing up and would never have had I not come to Benedict. The hardships, breakthroughs, and strength I have been able to witness in other people are astonishing. I know that I’m much more culturally equipped than I was a year ago, although I still have many more lessons to learn in these next three years. I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience life through a different looking glass and know that I’m a different person as a result.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 03:40:41 +0000
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