A little retrospect on my first year at uni here.
First some background: I attended a typical suburban school where only between 40 and 50 kids were African American of a school of about 1,200 people (grades 10-12). Most of them were either Basketball/Football stars who hung around with the typical jerky jock crowd, or fell into other assorted groups such as gangs, druggies, or the Malcom X 'we hate whites' group. One in the grade above me was an audiovisual guru, funny as hell, and student council president I believe for his class...I talked to him occasionally, but not often, mostly just joking around when I went to visit other friends in AV. So yes, I don't have much experience with being close friends with African Americans, but not by choice as I am not a racist.
Now in college, my current RA lives right across the hall from me, is african american, and we get along great. In fact, we talk often, and I recently found out that he plays Age of Empires competatively (as do I). Very nice guy, friendly, talkative...graduates this year. I'll be taking his position
This all has a point, I assure you...the University of Delaware is very culturally diverse, there are many more African Americans than my high school, by number and percent of the total population....this year, through various campus activities and such, I took notice of a normal part of society that you probably see every day and don't put much thought into.
African Americans hang out with African Americans.
Not only this, but they all seem to know each other by name. If you see two African Americans walking up to each other on the street in a University, 90% chance they'll know each other, give greetings, chat for a bit, and then as they leave one will tell the other that they will give them a call...
...however, I have rarely if ever seen the same thing happen with an African American and a white.
Why is this? And more importantly - is this a sign that racial segregation still exists in society, or is it a sign that African Americans simply prefer to hang out with African Americans? In other words, what is the root cause of this phenomenon.
Am I saying it's a bad thing? Certainly not...honestly, as long as there are no laws creating the segregation, I couldn't care either way...people are people and they'll be with/talk to who they want to. And of course there are many cases of inter racial mingling, especially within the athletic realm of University society, and even my flatmate nextdoor is in an interracial relationship right now (he being white, her being black).
I will post my thoughts in a bit...particularly interested in hearing Chegitz's thoughts, but all comments welcome of course, as always.
Some ideas to get us started...
Black Student Unions
Socio-economic differences of African Americans and Whites
Suburbanites and rural whites not being in contact with many African Americans
Last of the 'racist generation' (Pre-baby boomer) haven't died off yet.
African Americans simply have different interests than whites
First some background: I attended a typical suburban school where only between 40 and 50 kids were African American of a school of about 1,200 people (grades 10-12). Most of them were either Basketball/Football stars who hung around with the typical jerky jock crowd, or fell into other assorted groups such as gangs, druggies, or the Malcom X 'we hate whites' group. One in the grade above me was an audiovisual guru, funny as hell, and student council president I believe for his class...I talked to him occasionally, but not often, mostly just joking around when I went to visit other friends in AV. So yes, I don't have much experience with being close friends with African Americans, but not by choice as I am not a racist.
Now in college, my current RA lives right across the hall from me, is african american, and we get along great. In fact, we talk often, and I recently found out that he plays Age of Empires competatively (as do I). Very nice guy, friendly, talkative...graduates this year. I'll be taking his position
This all has a point, I assure you...the University of Delaware is very culturally diverse, there are many more African Americans than my high school, by number and percent of the total population....this year, through various campus activities and such, I took notice of a normal part of society that you probably see every day and don't put much thought into.
African Americans hang out with African Americans.
Not only this, but they all seem to know each other by name. If you see two African Americans walking up to each other on the street in a University, 90% chance they'll know each other, give greetings, chat for a bit, and then as they leave one will tell the other that they will give them a call...
...however, I have rarely if ever seen the same thing happen with an African American and a white.
Why is this? And more importantly - is this a sign that racial segregation still exists in society, or is it a sign that African Americans simply prefer to hang out with African Americans? In other words, what is the root cause of this phenomenon.
Am I saying it's a bad thing? Certainly not...honestly, as long as there are no laws creating the segregation, I couldn't care either way...people are people and they'll be with/talk to who they want to. And of course there are many cases of inter racial mingling, especially within the athletic realm of University society, and even my flatmate nextdoor is in an interracial relationship right now (he being white, her being black).
I will post my thoughts in a bit...particularly interested in hearing Chegitz's thoughts, but all comments welcome of course, as always.
Some ideas to get us started...
Black Student Unions
Socio-economic differences of African Americans and Whites
Suburbanites and rural whites not being in contact with many African Americans
Last of the 'racist generation' (Pre-baby boomer) haven't died off yet.
African Americans simply have different interests than whites
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