I am a proud alumna from Prairie View A&M University. I am writing in response to the article regarding the non-African American faces on the school web page. I decided to respond to the article not to defend why we (Hispanics), but to let everyone who reads this know that non-African American students are not trying to come and take over PV or change the status of this school, but convey that we love this school for what they have done and what they are doing for everyone. Yes, Prairie View A&M can be seen as a school trying to do something different and that is to open its doors to human beings regardless of color, and to give them a chance to come to school and achieve their dreams; and for that I am thankful.
Non-African American students who come to Prairie View are not only here to come to school but we want to learn as much as we can from a different culture as much as we want everyone else to learn from our culture. We are involved in the community not just a particular sector, but the community as a whole.
So, as an alumna I am speaking out and voicing my love for Prairie View A&M University and giving them thanks for the opportunity that they gave me and are giving to many more. I try to represent this school with honor and pride and I hope that everyone no matter what race or culture you are would do the same. We should all be proud to be a part of a school that is not afraid to be different and that difference is to help others regardless of race.
The memories, friendships, support and the love that people have shown are far more important to me than the few comments like the one expressed in last week’s article. Change is hard and we tend not to like it but if we open our hearts and realize that at the end of the day we are all human beings who cry, who laugh, and who walk the same, no matter the race or color, then we can appreciate diversity and difference and not see it as a negative but as an opportunity.
I believe that sometimes it would be better for all of us to focus on how we can work together to better the place we live in and not focus so much on the four faces displayed on the web page.
– Elsy Pacheco
Prairie View A&M University 05′
ELET/Business Administration