I know that most of the diaries here at Kos have alot to do with national issues, but I think it's nice to have a little focus on specific topics in specific states.
Namely the University of Virginia in well, Virginia.
But first. Some background. About myself and the situation.
I'm an African-American first-year at the University, and I must say, I enjoy myself here. It is a wonderful institution, with wonderful traditions and great faculty. That being said, we do have a few problems, and they tend to be class and race issues. But for now, let's focus on the race issues here at the University.
In the past month or so, there have been numerous "racial incidents." Usually they have boiled down to epithets being directed towards African-American students, or the personal property of African-American students being vandalized. I myself was called "blacky," as I was walking from dinner.
In response to all of this, the Student Council has approved a committee dedicated to investigating this, and there has been a surprising amount of student solidarity. I think however, that this maybe be part of the problem, rather than the solution.
Or rather, without a strong response from the administration, and an addressing of some underlying issues, this will continue to happen, in fact, that's been the pattern. I've talked to many fourth-year students here, and they all tell me the same thing. These racial attacks, whether they be verbal or physical have been occuring with greater frequency for the past four years at least. And even with the solidarity of the student body, I have a feeling they will continue.
Why?
Because here at the University, class is just as an important factor as race, and probably contributes to many of the racial incidents we have here. Now, I don't presume to know exactly what to do about this, but I do know something has to be done. Because well, I can see this spreading to other colleges and universities around the country. As college tuition continues to rise, and affordable higher education is gradually restricted to the children of the upper middle class and above, I predict that these racial incidents will continue to happen with greater frequency.
Anyway, I think this is something important, and something that at least should be talked about. So, thanks for reading, have a good day, and visit my blog!
The United States of Jamerica