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Elese Brown

Professor Malcolm Campbell

UWRT 1104

031 April May 17

Weapons of Mass Success: African American Higher Education at Predominantly White

InstitutesWIs

Im not going to sit at your table and watch you eat, with nothing on my plate, and call

myself a diner. Sitting at the table doesnt make you a diner (Malcolm X). Your ancestors took

the lash, the branding iron, humiliations, and oppression because one day they believed you

would come along and flesh out their dreams (Maya Angelou). Education is the most powerful

weapon which you can use to change the world (Nelson Mandela). Quote after quote, we find

ourselves guilty of comparing our lives to and basing our lives on the inspiration we find

embedded in each word. No matter the origin or type of situation, if the shoe fits, we wear it.

Wondering why? Its simple we compare because we can relate. The quotes above, mouthed

by iconic individuals, are lines of inspiration that relate to todays generation of African

American College students.

From Elementary School to the last semester of my Senior Year, my sights were set upon

my top three dream schools. Id made provisions to ensure my acceptance; there was no doubt

about it. My GPA was above where it needed to be. Id taken all the classes I was supposed to

take and then some. If for whatever reason I did not get in to any of them, Id apply to other

schools to have a variety of options within my reach. Unfortunately, my acceptance to all three

schools was declined. It was devastating. However, I took this loss and turned it into a major

gain. With persuasion from family members, I applied to a school that was my absolute last
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choice. The school was everything I wanted it to be, but there was still one significant issue

itsits location; Charlotte.

UNC Charlotte is a predominantly white institute (PWI) located in the northern Charlotte

area. This campus is home to many Charlotteans, as well as, numerous out of state students. The

campus is diverse and offers its students numerous opportunities and outlets to learn and be

successful. From my arrival on Accepted Student Day to my departure, Id realized that

despite its location, UNC Charlotte is where Im supposed to be. While looking out into the sea

of incoming freshmen gathered in the Student Activities Center, I found it rather difficult to find

numerous students that shared my ethnicity. Seeing as how this is a predominantly white

institute, this was to be expected. Being in the minority significantly motivated me to rise to the

challenge and succeed beyond that which was expected of me. Whos expectations one might

ask? My own.

Im not going to sit at your table and watch you eat, with nothing on my plate, and call

myself a diner. Sitting at the table doesnt make you a diner (Malcolm X). Your ancestors took

the lash, the branding iron, humiliations, and oppression because one day they believed you

would come along and flesh out their dreams (Maya Angelou). Education is the most powerful

weapon which you can use to change the world (Nelson Mandela). Quote after quote, we find

ourselves guilty of comparing our lives to and basing our lives on the inspiration we find

embedded in each word. In other words, if quotes we see or hear, relate to our lives in any way,

we use it to make comparisons to our lives and daily encounters. No matter the origin or type of

situation, if the shoe fits, we wear it. Simply, if a quote applies to us or we like its meaning, we

use it for inspiration and motivation. Wondering why? Its simple we compare because we can
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relate. The quotes above, mouthed by iconic individuals, are lines of inspiration that relate to

todays generation of African American College students.

Being in the minority along with the use of other significant tactics are my stepping

stones for the success Ive gained thus far. Not only do I focus on making my family proud, but

my drive for academic success is also founded on my desire to be the best that I can be. I look

forward to walking across the stage and proudly receiving my degree. At that moment Id know

with greater assurance that none of it was in vain. Id applied myself from Pre-K to my Senior

year of College for that very moment. With this I also realize Mmany students here in Charlotte

and across the country do not have the opportunity to go to college. Whether its due to economic

status, financial situations, or unforeseen circumstances, the chance at a college degree is not

afforded to everyone. Some students go to school because their parents require them to, while

others go to school because they want it for themselves. For those who claim a seat in each

collegiate classroom, the inquiry question, What tactics and sense of motivation do African

Americans attending a Predominantly White Institute use to climb their individual ladder of

success?, has been answered.

First, to the extent that African Americans at PWIs endure a more hostile environment

compared to their HBCU counterparts, these students also face a greater number of obstacles

with which they must contend in order to succeed, thus increasing the importance of motivation.

(Reeder, Matthew C., and andNeal Schmitt). Motivational and Judgment Predictors of African

American Academic Achievement at PWIs and HBCUs. Journal of College Student

Development, vol. 54, no. 1, 2013, pp. 29-42.) .This excerpt from Reeder and Schmitts article

highlights a key reason for African American academic motivation at PWIs. Seeing as how,

African American PWI students encounter hostile environments while on campus, gives one
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room to infer that this adds to the stress of needing to be just as great academically as their

Caucasian counterpart. A hostile environment in this case leans more so towards the word

antagonistic, which means showing or feeling active opposition or hostility toward someone

or something. Thusly, one might believe the classroom to be a hostile environment.

One might consider the classroom a hostile environment. During my first semester, I was

the only African American female in my class. Every time I set foot in the classroom, it seemed

as if I always had something I had to prove. I asked and answered questions just like everyone

else. I took notes diligently. I turned my homework and projects in on time. However, it still

seemed like it wasnt enough. Everyone treated each other with respect, but hostility was the

elephant in the room. The fact that I was the only African American female present did not go

unnoticed. I knew every time I raised my hand to ask or answer a question, my peers viewed

every word I spoke differently than those of my counterparts. Despite the obvious tension, I

made the best of being the minority. My presence and classroom interaction turned hostility into

acceptance. I was no longer nervous to interact and answer questions. There were times where I

knew the answer, but wouldnt raise my hand because of what others might think of me.

However, by the third week of the semester, I was confidently participating in class. Just to be

clear, there was no lack of confidence in myself, the generality of not knowing how my peers

would perceive me was my biggest battle. However, it was a battle I was able to overcome.

Outside of the classroom, I experience much less hostility. I am engaged in various

extracurricular activities. I am in two student organizations and I take advantage of the many

student and athletic events held on campus. Walter R. Allen and colleagues write in College in

Black and White: African American Students in Predominantly White and in Historically Black

Public Universities, Black students on Black and white campuses who participate in student
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organizations often have higher occupational aspirations and exhibit greater satisfaction with

their campus life. (Allen, Walter R., et al. College in Black and White: African American

Students in Predominantly White and in Historically Black Public Universities. State University

of New York, 1991.). Joining student organizations around campus helps significantly with

campus life satisfaction. It also serves as an academic motivator. Rather than being isolated in

the dorm room, campus-wide engagement allows students to interact with each other. The more

students interact with each other, the more theyll come to appreciate each others differences.

Joining student organizations and attending campus events aids in campus life satisfaction by

simply creating great memories. No one wants to remember their college days in a dull and

boring manner. The only way to prevent that is to get involved. Campus involvement prompts

academic motivation.

Many student organizations require students to maintain good GPAs. For the

organizations that dont, the academic motivation is still present because the positive vibes

students receive from their peers serves as the motivation. Encouragement from your friends to

do a great job and turn in your assignments is the driving force. It helps us know that were not

alone. The comradery motivates students to do their best and fulfill their duties as a student.

Speaking from experience, my campus involvement has made my first year grand. Having the

opportunity to meet new people and make memories that will last forever has aided in my

academic success and collegiate success as a whole.

Performing beyond expectations in the classroom and campus involvement are my go-to

tactics for academic achievement. Other students across the country, namely those at the

University of Georgia,Students at the University of Georgia are also finding ways to be

successful and make themselves feel comfortable at a PWI. You can study in Tate Time around
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people who look like you, in a comfortable space, and you can be how you want to be, talk how

you want to talk, without being judged or feeling awkward, said Mansur Buffins, 20, a junior

who is president of the UGA chapter of the NAACP. (Chiles, Nick. At the University of

Georgia, Black Students Navigate in a White World. The Hechinger Report, The Hechinger

Report, 25 Nov. 2016, hechingerreport.org/university-georgia-black-students-navigate-white-

world/. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.). According to The Hechinger Report, Tate Time is a phrase

coined by the African American students at UGA. Whenever they feel the need for rejuvenation

between one another, they gather around 11am every morning outside the food court in the Tate

Student Center. Whether they chat, laugh, flirt, eat, or study, Tate Time, is completely their

own. They dont have to worry about any judgement from their counterparts. This judgment

could range from general acceptance to outward appearance or even to individual intelligence.

This daily routine is what helps them survive and feel comfortable during their time at UGA.

Taking the time to interact with others is essential to success on any campus. It is especially

important for Black students on White campuses because one can feel out of place,

uncomfortable, and isolated if they dont have an outlet to be with those that are just like them.

Theres nothing wrong at all with having friends that are of a different ethnicity, religion, or

background. However, a sense of belonging and importance arises when you are able to connect

and relate with someone that comes from the same ethnic background as yourself. This

comradery will help numerous, if not all, African American students attending predominantly

white institutes.

Black students need to realize that there are resources available to themcultural,

educational, financialthat they should take advantage of. Whether those resources are in the

form of an office of multicultural affairs, a chief diversity officer, clubs centered around a
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cultural identity or a professor's office hours, students should feel like those resources are there

for thembecause they are. (Ware, Lawrence). How to Survive, Be Safe and Thrive at a

Predominantly White Institution. The Root, www.theroot.com, 8 Aug. 2016,

www.theroot.com/how-to-survive-be-safe-and-thrive-at-a-predominantly-w-1790856312.

Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.) This statement sums it all up. If African American students attending

predominantly white institutes, apply themselves just like their collegiate counterparts, if not

more, they have no reason not to succeed. There are student organizations available for students

of different ethnicities, religions, interests, etc. These groups and organizationss are not just for

the ethnic majority, but for everyone. Students often settle for the fact that theres nothing for

me here. Many African American students who have expressed dissatisfaction with their college

experience, do not take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them. This quote is one that

many students need to take advantage of. Knowing that you too belong and that there are

resources set up to help everyone, will aid in the overall satisfaction in ones college experience.

In correlation to this quote, Ooffered here at UNC Charlotte, is the Black Student Union

organization, The Voices of Eden Gospel Choir, Fraternities, Sororities, and much more. Students

have to take initiative and get involved in order to make their college and campus life

extraordinary.

Given the research completed to determine African American student motivation for

academic achievement, one can infer that it all depends on the individual student. The sources

Ive collected surveyed African American students around the country. The survey results

suggest that for most African American students, academic motivation stems from mainly being

involved on campus. Engaging in campus clubs, organizations, and events prompts students to

excel and succeed in all academic endeavors. The sources also suggest that competition and
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challenges between collegiate counterparts prompts academic motivation as well. Being in the

minority and knowing the history of black education encourages students to take advantage of

the opportunity of earning a higher education. Some students may want to prove that they are

better than their Caucasian peer, while others seek to show that were all on the same level.

Proving that we as African American students have a right to a higher education in the same

manner of our counterparts plays a huge role in the motivation tactics.

For so long, African Americans have been the underdogs specifically in the education

field. Knowing this, my motivation lies in not taking it for granted. Im not going to sit at your

table and watch you eat, with nothing on my plate, and call myself a diner. Sitting at the table

doesnt make you a diner (Malcolm X). Im not here to waste money by sitting back and

watching my Caucasian peers get an education. Im here to earn one of my own. I dont look to

flaunt or proclaim that Im better than anyone else. Therefore, when I was given the opportunity

to earn a college degree, I took full advantage of it. Spending long nights and evenings working

on assignments and projects is not done just so that I can say Ive done my part. If I have

anything to prove to anybody, it is to prove to myself that I can do it. I do this because I know I

am capable of succeeding. Yes, I want to make my family proud, but I ultimately want to earn

my degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Talent Management because this is

what I want for my future.

As I rise and attend 8am classes every morning, I realize that I would not be here if it

were not for those who paved the way many years ago. Your ancestors took the lash, the

branding iron, humiliations, and oppression because one day they believed you would come

along and flesh out their dreams (Maya Angelou). The African American college students of

today, are the dream realized. Our ancestors hoped and had faith that the day would come where
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we as a people would be well-educated and making a difference with the knowledge weve

gained. Weve read the history books and participated in the black history events. We know what

it took just to get to this very moment. Most students take advantage of it and others dont, but

whatever end of the spectrum were on, it does not take away from the sacrifices made to get us

here. Our ancestors realized that although they may never see it, there would one day be

someone qualified and willing to walk in the dream theyd hoped would come to pass. They

realized that Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world

(Nelson Mandela).. Therefore, it is our duty to take what weve been given and use it to change

the world. As we walk the concrete sidewalks of our predominantly white institutes, we will

continue to succeed academically. We will take the education weve paid to obtain and use the

degree we earn to change the world. When asked what motivates me to be great by way of

academics?, its simple me.

My ancestors took the lash, the branding iron, humiliations, and oppression because one

day they believed I would come along and flesh out their dreams. They had faith that one day

generations would sit in classrooms with their racial counterparts and earn the same degree.

Their diligence and passion to make life better for all African Americans has provided us with

this precious opportunity. Therefore, Im not going to sit at their collegiate table and watch them

learn, with nothing in my hands, and call myself a scholar. Sitting at the table doesnt make me a

scholar. Since I know that education is the most powerful weapon which I can use to change the

world because I have it, I will.

Works Cited

Allen, Walter R., et al. College in Black and White: African American Students in Predominantly

White and in Historically Black Public Universities. State University of New York, 1991.
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Chiles, Nick. At the University of Georgia, Black Students Navigate in a White World. The

Hechinger Report, The Hechinger Report, 25 Nov. 2016, hechingerreport.org/university-

georgia-black-students-navigate-white-world/. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.

Reeder, Matthew C., and Neal Schmitt. Motivational and Judgment Predictors of African

American Academic Achievement at PWIs and HBCUs. Journal of College Student

Development, vol. 54, no. 1, 2013, pp. 29-42.

Ware, Lawrence. How to Survive, Be Safe and Thrive at a Predominantly White Institution.

The Root, www.theroot.com, 8 Aug. 2016, www.theroot.com/how-to-survive-be-safe-

and-thrive-at-a-predominantly-w-1790856312. Accessed 8 Mar. 2017.