Little known tidbits about being a black student at a predominantly white institution

 When I arrived at the University of Tampa in the Fall of 1987, one of the first things I looked for in proximity to the Campus was a barber.   I had just spent the summer in Advanced Training for the Army and I was starting my first year of Army ROTC so keeping my hair looking good was crucial.  Unfortunately, despite the various barbers immediately around my campus, none of the barbers cut black hair.  I eventually found one a few miles away but after my first year, I ended becoming close friends with another black student who cut hair.  And to my surprise, he and his room mate were the ‘go to’ guys for getting your haircut if you are black. 

Anyone who truly knows me knows that I have a deep love for my alma mater.  With a little over 1600 students and located in the heart of downtown Tampa, I fell in love with this small, liberal arts university with the various historical buildings which were converted to class rooms and dorm rooms.  

But as a black student on a campus that was 95% white, I learned quickly that I had to determine what my collegiate experience was going to be. 

Now, before I go any further, I’m not talking for every black person (or person of color) who attends or has attended a Predominantly White Institution (or PWI).  But my conversations with my friends who were black or persons of color are very similar.

Now, some parts of the collegiate experience is universal to all students.  Whether it be stressing over classes, arguing with financial aid, or trying to get your schedule together, these things are not unique to almost every student regardless of your race, ethnicity or national origin.

However, once you start focusing on the ‘culture’ of college life or the ‘collegiate experience’, you start to see differences.

So in addition to finding a classmate to cut my hair (which became the regular hang out spot for black college students on Saturday), I learned a few things but they came out of necessity.

For me, it was the little things that slowly made an impact.  I can remember going to my first campus parties hosted by a few local fraternities and sororities.   I can recall music from Van Halen, Def Leopard, Devo, and Pat Benatar being played and wondering if I would hear Janet Jackson, Prince, Cameo, Salt-n-Pepa, or LL Cool J (I did but it was usually only one or two songs).  I remember asking if there were ‘Step Shows’ on campus and getting some very confused looks.   As time progressed, I hungered for more interactions with students who could relate to my experiences.  Ultimately, I would interact with two particular organizations:  Association of Minority Collegians and the International Student Organization.  Both organizations met weekly and their events often focused on their minority members (fashion shows, talent shows, Caribbean dances, etc.).  

I had found my experience.  And, at the same time, I found collegians who shared my desire to carve a collegiate experience that incorporated not only my overall experience but also my experience as a collegian who was a person of color.

However, the experience wasn’t always very smooth.   I can still recall a few times my white classmates asking why I always sat with other minority students instead of sitting with them (Mind you, they never sat with me at the table I was sitting with other minority students).  I can, also, still recall a few times being asked by other white classmates why I wasn't regularly coming to their campus parties (Again, almost NO music was played at my white fraternities or sororities that I enjoyed dancing to.  I am a huge fan of Def Leopard and Van Halen but there is no booty shaking to that music.  And did I mention that I still went to their parties but they never came to parties of the minority organization I attended on campus?)

Did any of these experiences turn me off to my University of Tampa experience?  NO!   I found my balance.  I found the ability to enjoy my overall experience of going to my alma mater.  I would occasionally go to parties hosted by the local white fraternities and sororities.  I would still show up if I was invited to activities where I, in most cases, was in the minority.  

However, I was still able to carve out a separate collegiate experience as a black student.  

So, if you wonder why college students of color on a PWI seem to be congregating with each other, don’t look at them as alienating their fellow classmates.  Look at them as carving their own unique collegiate experience that allows them to celebrate and embrace their culture as part of their collegiate culture.  And join in. You might learn something.