Who Writes Your Life Story HBCU Students?
|
Listening to "Who writes your life story?" |
Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly
|
|
Posted By: William Jackson on February 03, 2017 Who Writes Your Life Story HBCU Students? by Professor William Jackson @wmjackson #MyQuestToTeach Using the TEDx presentation to encourage all HBCU students to live up to their expectations and not to listen to the stereotypes of others based on color, gender and social-economic background. Who writes your life story? | Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly https://youtu.be/OscDpHfrtog Each HBCU student has a story to tell, an adventure or a situation that allows each of us to share our travels in a world of continuous change and adaptation. The human spirit is sometimes defined by the actions and in actions we take as we make the journey into and through the challenges, chaos, confusion, storms and welcoming calmness that we experience during the time we are on this plane of life. Students in my Educational Technology class are required to manage a traditional blog, writing for several weeks about their talents, passions, goals, likes and challenges. Just as other classes for the past 4 years that have taken Educational Technology, Social Media and STEM at Edward Waters College. Those that are in the Department of Education and Urban Studies are required to take this class, but more and more students in other disciplines are seeing the value of writing for their life. Encouraging students to write can be challenging because you have to show the reasons why they should do this and how it can benefit them. There needs to be tangible and connecting situations and circumstances to show that writing can increase networking, create a positive digital footprint and show the potential to increase visibility in the job market and potential financial benefits. Attending an HBCU there are benefits and some potential things that can hold a person back. The term HBCU is not always beneficial in the white corporate world because it may be perceived as unskilled, ill-prepared, lower educational achievement, minority, ghetto, inner-city and slow. These may be some of the perceptions carried by labels and assumptions. Labels can deny access to equitable educational access and even the mental stereotypes that can affect performance in the classroom. I share with my students to never let someone else's expectations define their life and their successes. As a father of two college age young adults I have seen how low expectations of teachers, friends and even the community affect the self perceptions of children. When my children were in elementary and middle I constantly encouraged them to read, to think for themselves and not like the crowd, I took my kids to conferences, workshops and other events that offered exposure and learning. Why more Black families do not do this there are many excuses. Understanding diversity was important because my children had to understand that this world, this nation is diverse and they had to be able to cope with the integration and collaboration of races. To many times people said I was raising my children like they were white, but in actuality I was raising them to live in a white world where mental toughness was necessary, having dreams, goals and a mission in life made living valuable and being Black was an asset not collateral damage. Parents must always build up their children even if there are challenges to their mental abilities, children can overcome and compensate for many challenges if the parents do not have lower expectations for success. Speak and breath life and a love for learning. This is where to many African American families fall short, living under the expectations of others that see them as second class citizens, as potential criminals, welfare recipients and even kids being in ESE and EBD classes not Gifted and Talented classes. The parent is the first educator and creates a foundation for growth and development for a life-time. Parents create the mental foundation for how their child will stand and deliver energies that motivate and expand success or accept the mode of below average living and relying on governmental assistance. HBCUs have a history of overcoming challenges and even atrocities that are thrown at them because of the strong will for success and rising like the Phoenix. If the parent assumes their child cannot read past a certain level and mental comprehension they deny their child the gifts of literature, reading, exposure and even interactions that can open mental doors to expand the horizons to be better then they currently are. In my class I use TEDx Talks to show the similarities of cultural and generational experiences to help students to understand they do not have to live by others expectations and stereotypes. They have options to experience and manage their life to be what they want it to be by embracing learning and exposure to new things in life. Using a platform of blogging to step out away from the limitations of people placed because they only only see color, zip codes or area codes, student writing can take them globally any where in the world because they can adapt their writing to embrace not just the diversity of people, but the diversity of thought, rationalization and the emotional connections that bring about unity and respect. Who writes your life story? | Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly https://youtu.be/OscDpHfrtog Is a way for students at HBCUs to share in a story of mental and emotional neglect and abuse. Even through the hell of low expectations HBCU students can rise to new heights and accomplish unbelieveable success. HBCU students start to write your own story, never allow anyone else to write your story, to cast you into a category and try to keep you there. It is a choice, a decision that you make. Choose wisely what direction you will go, by your decisions or by the decisions of others that only see you based on ignorance, racism, prejudice and hate. Listening to "Who writes your life story?" | Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly is a way to break free of the pain and limitations of others. Resources: Who Writes Your Life Story? Hill Krishnan | TEDxCalPoly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OscDpHfrto... Real Talk Real Change by E3 Business Group RTRC VIII: "We Are Women, Hear Us More!!" https://eventium.io/events/103693819642173... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
William Jackson
Educational Technology and Social Media Instructor, Edward Waters College South Carolina State University class of 1985 Member Since September 2008 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
JCSU Unique Courses “ LACTATION CONSULTANT TRAINING PROGRAM (CERTIFICATE)”The LCTP is a comprehensive, CAAHEP accredited Pathway 2 training program administered through the College of Business and Professional Studies Health and Human Performance Department at Johnson C. Sm ...more
How May I Help You NC • 60 Views • January 29th, 2026 |
 |
Nation’s Oldest HBCU Football Rivalry Returns in 2026 with 102nd Turkey Day ClassicThe nation’s oldest HBCU football rivalry will return to the field in November 2026 as Alabama State University and Tuskegee University face off in the 102nd Turkey Day Classic. The historic Thanksgiv ...more
Reginald Culpepper • 149 Views • January 28th, 2026 |
 |
🔋🪫🔋🪫🔋🔋🔋Gifts to recharge my BatteryREADY TO EXPERIENCE A MAYWEATHER WORKOUT? TRY IT FOR FREE
Some time is all that’s needed to get on the MAYWEATHER Fitness Treadmill
Have fun meet new friends get close to perfection https://may ...more
How May I Help You NC • 88 Views • January 27th, 2026 |
 |
Enjoy over 5,000 Free E-Cards!In HBCU communities, connection matters, and small gestures go a long way. That's why I offer 5,000 free eCards to help you stay connected and celebrate moments like thank yous, birthdays, and graduat ...more
Shykeria Lifleur • 84 Views • January 27th, 2026 |
 |
Get Patreon for World Cup DiscussionChannel: https://www.patreon.com/cw/rtwcmod ...more
How May I Help You NC • 75 Views • January 27th, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,795,042 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,089 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 74,380 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,374 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
