Situated in the heart of the black culture, Prairie View students have an up close and personal interaction with black stereotypes, perceptions, and realities. Prairie View students don’t need BET’s College Hill to get a glimpse of life on a historically black campus. Prairie View students don’t need to watch the 10 p.m. news to see negative images of the black culture. And again, Prairie View students don’t need the sports world to show the black athlete who remains in trouble because of drugs, dog fighting, or rape. Prairie View students experience the historically black college firsthand, yet are the stereotypes, perceptions, and even realities ones that we create for ourselves?
Let’s take for example, the black student who is a minority at a predominantly white school and strives to exceed above the majority white population. This student sets goals to be “the first black to…” “the only black to…” or “the black with the highest or the best…” However, on Prairie View’s campus and probably other HBCUs, why do some students not strive to be the best or the only “academically” or “professionally,” but the best materialistically. Most students must have the latest fashions, the hottest brands, and the most unique style. Furthermore, if you aren’t the student who everyone else is eyeing for these material possessions, you insist on shooting them down instead of lifting them up.
Again the black student at a predominantly white school endeavors to gain respect through achievements, awards, and leadership positions. Yet, on Prairie View’s campus, some students attempt to gain respect through Greek organizations, the loudest car system, the shiniest rims, lowest sagging pants, and the smallest shorts ever made. So, when the music videos portray these same aspects, why is the black culture upset?
One last time, the black student at a predominantly white school lies in the grass and studies, goes to the library to actually study, or attends class and or workshops to gain knowledge. But, on Prairie View’s campus, someone who studies on the grass is weird. Someone who goes to the library with books cannot study because of the loud ringtones and obnoxious conversations. And the student who attends class or extra workshops must receive extra credit.
So, do we as Prairie View students set lower standards for ourselves, in turn leaving us ill prepared for the workplace? Obtaining a degree from an HBCU does not make you less marketable or less prepared than the next person, but the goals you set and strive for make a difference. You are not an outcast if you have an intellectual conversation that does not revolve around entertainment, music, sex, or drugs. It’s OK to be open-minded and accept differences. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with setting a goal and working until you reach it instead of quitting because the going got a little tough. Argue your limitations for they are surely yours. As a culture, we must begin to better ourselves, eliminating the “yous” and “Is” for an us.