I will start with a list of things that compelled me to write this letter:
* The articles and poems by female students about giving their bodies and sex on the first date.
* The letter to the Editor from the Broken Hearted Senior about hurting and punishing herself.
* I saw a student wearing a t-shirt that said “Tell your boyfriend I said thank you.”
* Another administrator told me about a shirt that said, “If you’re Rich; I’m Your B%$@#!” I am blown away by how little you value your bodies and your future. In less than a year, I have already learned that you are intelligent, witty and full of promise. Already I esteem you higher than you esteem yourselves. Every one of you has so much to offer the world. Your biological family not withstanding, your Prairie View mothers have overcome great obstacles to become successful. They set an example and left you a heritage. You are responsible to continue in that legacy and you can achieve anything you desire. I want great things for you and I want you to want them for yourselves. To quote President Wright, “Call Me! or call someone who cares about your future.”
It’s not just a T-shirt. It’s not just a fashion statement. It’s never just sex! You are making choices about your value. Your language – out of your mouth or advertised across your chest says something about who you think you are. Why exactly would a beautiful woman thank someone else’s boyfriend? For disrespecting both women? If you’re rich? If you’re rich, you’re invited to abuse me? To degrade me? How much money is that exactly? You should not be for sale.
When something is valuable, you don’t share it with everyone. You are one of a kind. Nobody great was ever just like the crowd. They were special, so they walked and talked differently. They were not better or smarter than everyone else. They just made a choice to focus on a goal or a dream. They lived by a set of values; they had integrity. Don’t be afraid to be different. You are special. You should stand out from the crowd and not because you are naked, promiscuous or loud.
Enjoy these years! Find out who you are and what you love (not who!). Boys and babies can wait. Study something that makes you smile. Plan for your future. Determine to live your dreams. Develop a reputation for excellence based on your brain, not your body.
You are precious and worthy of love and respect. Start by loving and respecting yourself and others will follow your lead. And when they don’t – you’ll know whose numbers to delete from your cell phone. You teach people how to treat you.
With genuine love and respect,
Tyra M. Metoyer
Director of University
Relations