hi, im interested in attending spelman, but i currently go to a school that is a prep school and only 7% of the student body is black. I need something different. I was wondering do you think i would adjust to spelman? I know the environments would be completely different, but honestly i hate prep school. I'm sick of being the spokeswomen for the entire black race, and I'm the only black student in most of my classes. White students consistently get mad when you hangout with another black student because they say we are "self segregating" ourselves. when i explain that we just happen to have alot in common, and that they themselves are self segregated too, they look at me like i'm crazy. Plus there are no dating opprotunities, and i know it isn't me because when i hangout with my friends from the nearest public school many black guys approach me. Its just that the black guys at my school ALL date white girls because they feel it is a "step up". And i'm not interested in white guys nor do they seem interested in me. I feel that spelman is where i should go, but are there alot of students there from prep schools where they were one of very few black students? Anybody in a similar situation? Would i be teased for "acting like a white girl" which most of my friends from public school say i do just because i'm not the best dancer, i talk properly, and i dress from Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren, and Jcrew. I'm guessing talking properly wouldn't be an issue since this is college and everyone is there to get educated. I'm just scared I'll be really different. Help? anyone.
The real answer is that there are ignorant people everywhere.
EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!
No matter how prestigious or low-budget the school is.
So that means the answer is yes, there is always a possibility of getting teased, for ANY reason.
Yes, people tease others for acting white.
Yes, people make fun of people that cant dance.
Whoever says that doesn't happen is wrong.
But anyways, there doesn't even have to be a reason. Some (re: ignorant) people do it for no reason.
Anybody can get teased about anything. But that doesn't matter at all.
It only matters if you let it get to you, and affect your self esteem. People tease because of their own lack of self-esteem, so they try to lower other's self esteem. So if it doesn't get to you, then you are the victor.
If someone teases you, **** them with kindness, they'll hate it.
For example:
"Yo shoes **** as hell"
You say:
"Well, your shoes are cute, where'd you get them?"
That'll catch them off guard so bad that they wont know what to do, and feel like a complete and utter ****.
Damn I aint think I would type all this, but w/e lol...
Thanks good advice. I'd have a hard time doing that, but I could give it a try. I would just have a hard time NOT getting **** if someone told me my shoes were ****, and then in return telling them theirs are cute. Everything is worth trying though, they do say **** them with kindness.
exBLACKly.. in your past experience Orca51, your demeanor probably threw those ignant folk off. misery loves company.. if you broke, dumb, and ain't doin nothin with your life and then you encounter somebody who may be able to afford nice things, cares about their education, and is going places, you're going to try and bring them down. i suggest you remain true to yourself, and humble as well, and as they say say those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter. it still bothers me when people reference "talking white" and stuff... but i won't hold it against you. in all actuality, that is unfortunately a common term in Black society. it's up to us to change that tho..
theTRUTH is a hater, bro.
Thanks for the good advice. I also don't particularly care for the term "acting white" but really I couldn't think of a better term to sum that up without going through a personality description, which people would look at and come to the conclusion and say so basically you "act white." That is the term people have used to describe my behavior, and it is a term within our community, which is why I chose to use it. People have been telling me I "act white" since 4th grade, which is about when people started teasing each other for stupid reasons.
Thanks and I'll probably attend that. I'm flying out there this summer for my first visit to ATL since I was about 10 and not really thinking much about college life. I'm feeling like i'll definitely be at an HBCU and now I'm trying to consider, which would be the best fit for the type of environment I come from. The top runners currently are Fisk, Spelman, Howard, and Hampton.
If it makes you feel any better I went to a mix of public schools (being a military brat involves a lot of moving). I went to high school in Hawaii and Asian kids told me my name was white. I had no idea names had colors. Also, when I went to a majority black middle school in DC my peers told me they didn't like me because I talked "white" and "proper", to which I was surprised that that was a reason to discriminate against me. A majority of my friends were white when I was in school. Like I said before you will come into contact with bright men and women from the West side of Chicago, to Caribbean islands, and even from exclusive boarding schools in Conneticut. You will not be out of place. I have a Spelman sister from North Dakota! Trust me, you will be fine. Everyone excepts that we are from different corners of the globe. HBCUs are colleges, not grade schools, people are there for an education. It is no longer cool to be stupid, because now we are paying for our education.
Enjoy Atlanta and your tour of Spelman. Make sure to eat lunch at Busy Bee's restaurant across from Publix (the best soul food in Atlanta). Also when you go, ask the Admissions Office if they can put you into contact with a student from your state.
Best of wishes
This is really late, but anyway speaking as a Spelman student, no you would not be teased for the clothes you wear. You are not the first Spelman student to come from a upper-middle class/ wealthy background. I would definately suggest coming to our "A Day in Your Life At Spelman". To see if Spelman is the school for you. And trust me if you do decide to attend a hbcu you will come into contact with the most educated black people from around the world for your age group.
hey, im also interested in attending Spelman in 2009. can you tell me a little bit about "A Day in Your Life at Spelman"?=].thanks!
Hope it's not too late to respond but:
I personally don't "act white" and I don't go to a predominantly white school BUT most of my friends are white, but not for any particular reason just because we have a lot in common. Most of my friends want to be a doctor or something dealing with science.
I'm not saying my black friends don't (want to be doctors) but I choose who I hang out with. Who cares if they tease you?? YOU are paying to go to college THEY are NOT paying it for you!! If they want to wasted their tuition money hatin on you then let them do it. Don't waste YOUR time AND money because of some stupid people!!
Besides are you really willing to give up going where you want to be because some kid you may have one class with decides they want to tease you...
