I never planned on being a black studies major. As a white girl from northern California, I had no idea of the deliberate social, economic, and political injustices imposed on the Black community. I have always had a passion for social justice, but never understood the deep historical roots of Western exploitation and marginalization against people of color. Fall quarter of my freshman year I took black studies 7: Caribbean Studies with Professor McAuley and was shell-shocked. Not only had McAuley established himself as my new favorite professor, who I would continue to follow throughout my undergraduate journey, but he gave me a new perspective to interpret the world around me. This class had the biggest impact on me, for it confronted the unquestioned assumptions made about the world, by white society through media, education, and rhetorical discourse. I simply had never had an education relaying the true American history, and furthermore, the international history of Imperial conquest. The systemic exploitation of Caribbean nations through colonization, and presently neo-colonialism and globalization, sparked a fire in me that I never knew was there. The fact that these injustices were so calculated, and meditated to secure Western profit, and economic paralysis in third world nations, infuriated me. Suddenly everything became clearer. Real reasons as to why some people controlled power, and some didn't begin to formulate in my new and revised world view. The fact that I had never been exposed to this kind of knowledge until my freshman year of college, through a class taken spontaneously, deeply frightened me, for how were people supposed to obtain this knowledge, that I was so blessed to only begin to scratch the surface of? The answer of course was that they weren't, and wouldn't if things didn't drastically change. And, that is what set the wheels in motion, igniting an undergraduate passion for Black Studies.
I went on to take black studies 3,4,5,38A, 100, 104, 122, 126, 129, 130A, 133, 191, and am now, about to graduate, and enrolled in Black Studies 190. My other favorite courses, were McAuley's 100: U.S/ African foreign Policy and Black Studies 104: Black Marxism because they gave me an economic context to understand the West's historical and contemporary oppression of people of color at home and abroad. Professor H. Johnson's Black Studies 122: Black Child in Education, broke my heart, and really shifted my attention to the very present and very real disadvantages facing black youth in education. The fact that schools are more segregated now then when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated is truly a testament to the severity of our broken school system. The systemic complications within housing and education, act as the fundamental stepping stones to how one builds his/her life. Understanding the supreme disadvantages placed on people of color in buying houses, maintaining real estate value, attending an accredited school, obtaining a job despite racism, and still living in a society where whites dominate economic affluence was further developed in Professor Wood's class Black Studies 129, pertaining to the construction of the ghetto, and Professor G. Johnson's Black Studies 4: Critical race theory. All of my Black Studies courses have worked to problemitize, promote, and propel my hunger to know more in the Black Studies field.
As a double major in English, these classes have also aided in my understanding of racial issues in contemporary America. The absence of racial discourse, and complex readings of literature has left me disappointed on more than one occasion, and further solidified my conviction that Black Studies is the most pertinent study in intellectual discourse.
As a senior, and soon to be Black Studies graduate, I still have so much to learn. Its daunting when I think of how much new education needs to reach people, and how severely whites need to interrogate the politics of their own realities and the identities constructed with their hegemonic power structure.
Becca, thanks so much for sharing your experience with the Black Studies major so thoroughly. I can clearly see that you are proud of this major and all of the knowledge you have gained. Throughout your post, I noticed that you talked heavily about some of the more controversial aspects of what you have learned throughout this major,each and every one equally important, but I am curious about some of the things you have learned about the culture, the art, the music, the dance, the literature, what are some of the greatest successes in Black culture that you have learned about? It was a pleasure to read your post and I look forward to reading more!
ReplyDeleteHi Becca. Excuse me for getting back to you so late.You asked me a very important question that I think I am still answering everyday I wake up. What is the most important battle for the black woman?
ReplyDeleteUnderstanding that my expereince as a black woman does not speak for the experiences of ever black woman, I know I must answer this question personally. To be honest Becca, waking up every morning and CHOOSING to find value in myself is a struggle. I have those days when I appreciate my hair, my curves, the way I walk and talk, everything! Other days I'm like, why is everything I am considered the opposite of beauty and intelligence? Why isn't it okay that my hair is kinky? Why are people so surprised that I am able to speak intelligently. Sorry if this sounds silly, but I'm being as genuine as I can. These are question that run through my head on a daily bases and I know it is because of the images of beauty, inteliigence, and strenght that I am bombarded with everyday.
So when all of these questions begin to pop up in my head, it is the fellowship of other women of color who help me keep my focus. This isn't always easy though. So to answer your question I think the most important battle is an internal one for me but on the outside the battle is utlizing the wisdom and empowerment of other women of color rather than fighting a battle that is much bigger than me.
Laslty, I will be attending CSU Fullerton's MSW program in the fall. I really want to go into social, specifically working with foster youth of color.
p.s. I struggled so much in lIT 103B! That class was so difficult for me!Can you introduce yourself to me in class next Monday please? I'd love to meet you!