Oreo:black on the outside white on the inside. I first heard that little descriptive when I was in middle school. I was an Oreo because I liked Pop, Country, Alternative, and just about anything else but rap or gangster rap I think there's a distinction. I also didn't follow the "black" fashion trends. At the time I preferred Aeropostal, American Eagle or anything that wasn't FUBU, Apple Bottom, or South Pole. It wasn't just what I liked and didn't like that was an issue it was also the fact that I spoke differently than my classmates. My mother was a language arts teacher and had a masters degree so Ebonics is something that wasn't allowed unless it was being made fun of. So I was singled out by the other "Black" kids and left to play with the non-"black" kids. Truth be told it bothered me a little bit that the children my race would not play/hang out with me. But once I took a second to think about it I realized that I felt sorry for them that they would conform to what society and there other peers expected them to act like. I on the other hand liked what I liked and it would be too hard to figure out who they wanted me to be. I actually tried that once in elementary school and hated it.
But reading the first principle made me think back on my reaction to my classmates mindset and where it came from. I thought about the things that my classmates believed, bought or liked and how I thought of them as conforming. I also thought about a conversation I had with my cuisine about history influencing cultural norms. He went to a H.B.C.U and desperately wanted me to attend a similar college. He cited that I would learn so much about my history as an African American that I would meet a lot of distinguished and well know African Americans. He also told me that the experiences, environment, and the guidance I would receive no other colleges would be able to compare. I obviously didn't go with that option eithor time that I searched for a University to attend. I had the same view point both times. I agree that the experiance has to be unique but to me somewhat issolated and unrealistic after awhile. I know if you went to a H.B.C.U I am going to fail this class because of that statement alone.
However I can't just have African Americans alone when there are so many other kinds of people in the world. I need to at least see a diverse blend of people which is why I choose Mason. I like to think its a compromise. Truthfully I know that black people were suppressed and still are to an extent "Katrina". I also realize there is probably a lot of black history that I don't know and have no clue even exist and sadly I am okay with that right now. I am not one of those people who are ashamed of being black I love it actually but I refuse to ever let that define me. If I am going to delve into history I not only want to know the history of my own race but that of every race. And I don't like history like that so for now I will stick with present information. The reason I have decided to stay ignorant of the information that I have not been taught or looked up in reference to something else is because why I am I going to single myself out when I want everyone to be on the same page. Knowing where I come from is important and I like the Sankofa's ideals but I know I can't walk forward and look back at the same time. I would get hurt myself within the first few steps. It is very important to remember who you are; what you stand for, and where you came from, however you have to bring those things with you and know how to use them to change your tomorrow.
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