Advices for Asian students who want to go to Wake next year

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wake Forest University
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<p>I am a freshman at wake, and I can honestly say I am very satisfied with my experience at Wake so far; however, if there is one thing I am slightly disappointed at Wake it is the fact that I don't feel like I am equally treated as other wake students and I believe it is because I am Asian.</p>

<p>I would walk along the sidewalk, and I would most definitely hear random racial slurs/derogative terms/offensive jokes that are directed toward me at least once a week.</p>

<p>When I open my door, there would be words like "math+violin=slitty eyes" "gook", etc on my draw-and-erase board.</p>

<p>I would be cheering for Wake at a football game, and one out of two games I would hear racial jokes and laughs behind me. It generally goes like this "hey look at that chinese guy he thinks he owns this place or something" well this one does not even bother me anymore because I know I look like a chinese guy, and I may have over-reacted during the game. But, so far at least twice I clearly heard comments made by other Wake students that involved much more offensive and disturbing language.</p>

<p>What happens on campus is, though, nothing compared to what happens when you go out. I happened to be ripped off by homeless people in downtown, three times. It always goes like this...a bunch of random stuffs, acting nicely. then they throw some excuses for taking your money...but as soon as they see my face, they start saying nasty stuffs such as c<em>ing c</em>ong, go back to your country etc) and they use this argument to get the most out of my wallet...like one of them said something like "because you foreigners are taking our jobs you owe me some money so get your wallet out"</p>

<p>To avoid misunderstanding and make myself clear, I should mention that you will still be able to make friends at Wake. No matter what ethnic group you belong, you guys are friends and classmates. Some Asians hang out only with other Asians (mostly people who are not from America), but I heard it happens in a lot of colleges as well, and according to my friends in other colleges, the situation is much worse in their colleges. I guess due to the small number of Asians here, they tend to be more scattered out and get along with other ethnic groups as well. </p>

<p>So, if you are open minded, you will have all kinds of friends and they will love you, and take your side when some a**holes try to make you feel bad about your own race. Before you are Asian/White/Black/Hispanic, you and your friends are all wake forest students. </p>

<p>Most students here are, infact, highly open minded, and I believe there is only a small portion of the students that are ignorant enough to say bad things to Asians or any other racial groups. </p>

<p>But keep that in mind that if you are Asian, you will face things that I've mentioned above. I am not saying don't go to Wake just because you are Asian. But if you end up going to Wake, I recommend you to be ready for stuffs like that. You will be reminded everyday that you are Asian, and therefore different.</p>

<p>Again, these are the only moments I was unhappy at Wake Forest. There are many good things to talk about, and to be honest my experience at Wake surpassed my expectations, both academically and socially. all i'm complaining about is just a bunch of random people I don't know who say bad things about me and my racial status, and since I am actually kind of used to it at this point, it ain't no bothers me anymore.</p>

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<p>I am actually very surprised at that, maybe you are talking to or noticing the wrong types of people, because I would say that they are very much in the minority. Just maintain the mindset that most people are nice people, but there will also be some jackasses, thats just the way life is. I just really have never heard outwardly racist comments meant in a derogatory way to people, that just is not the norm. Sure, people are going to make stupid jokes and comments, and while I do not condone that, they will always be there. Just shrug it off and know that those people are 1) people you do not want to associate yourself with and 2) that they are the minority.
Best of luck.</p>

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<p>I’m really sad to hear that you experienced anything like that at Wake Forest, Hucmenzu.</p>

<p>I do think that we probably all agree that people acting in this way are a small minority at Wake Forest; I disagree, however, with willmington wave that they will always be there.</p>

<p>I hope that Wake Forest wouldn’t tolerate this sort of hatred from any of its students. I would strongly encourage you to speak with your RA or someone in the Administration. I hope that if Wake Forest ever finds out who was writing on your dry erase board that s/he’d either be sent packing or have an unpleasant meeting with Dean Holmes (does he still oversee judicial/honor cases?) informing him/her that s/he will be gone if s/he ever does something like that again. </p>

<p>I’m glad to hear that you are generally happy at Wake Forest–and I hope that this issue is handled swiftly. I personally don’t think you should have to shrug this sort of stuff off.</p>

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<p>This is a very upsetting thread. I strongly urge you to contact the office of multicultural affairs.
The situation you described is intolerable and you should elevate the issue.
Inaction may lead you to transfering out.</p>

<p>I disagree with the advise to"Just shrug it off ".</p>

<p>Be strong and make a difference!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>I don’t recall a single incidence like that when I was at Northwestern. Of course every college has a “minority” of racists, but the “minority” seem to be larger, more visible, vocal, and in your face at WF. I suspect the fact that WF is one of the most homogeneously white campus probably self-selects a larger portion of these people that wouldn’t stand a more diverse campus.</p>

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<p>While Brave Ulysses may be right, I think that it is very difficult for a freshman, adjusting to college and not knowing what to expect, to take on the masses. And at Wake I do believe that there is a large “minority” of intolerable racists. I keep hearing that there are frats that are all-white (and one is being kicked out of campus because they refuse to change??). And, of course, it’s not just Asians that are targeted, religious differences are also not welcome.</p>

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<p>The rhetoric in both of these posts bothers me, “intolerable racists”?<br>
It just really bothers me when people judge Wake Forest as a homogeneous, conservative, racist, white school, when it most certainly isn’t. Furthermore, you are basing this information on second-hand impressions and what you “hear” about specific fraternities. I have all sorts of different friends at Wake Forest and throughout my (almost) four years here, I heard many more racist things at home in “liberal” New Jersey at my public high school.<br>
Sure, the mainstream at Wake Forest is white, Christians, but it is like that at most top universities. Just because that is the mainstream doesn’t automatically make everyone a racist. </p>

<p>Just please, so perpetuating these negative stereotypes of Wake Forest. If you are using second-hand accounts, stereotypes, or “impressions” you really have nothing to contribute to this conversation.</p>

<p>For what it’s worth, the incoming class has the largest number of URM’s ever at Wake Forest. Just because we are not the most “diverse” does not make Wake Forest University an institution which condones white supremacy.</p>

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<p>PS:
Again, I feel bad for the OP, but I know quite a few kids who are non-white in fraternities. Sometimes, it is more important to look at yourself introspectively, rather than perceived racial discrimination.</p>

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<p>Not to belabor the point, but the OP was not using second-hand accounts, and I consider my son and the friends he has made at Wake to tell me accurately what it is like there. I am glad that you have not experienced any problems at Wake; this does not mean that they don’t exist.</p>

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<p>For perspective students who might be wary of the - “minority” of intolerable racists" at Wake, please try another perspective of the Asian experience at Wake Forest, contact Lilly Proctor, the president of the Wake Forest University Asian Student Group. She is Asian also, and will be happy to talk to you about her own experience, as well as that of many Asian friends at Wake Forest. Her e-mail is <a href=“mailto:procl8@wfu.edu”>procl8@wfu.edu</a>. One person’s terrible experience, or unhappiness should never speak for over 4000 students.</p>

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<p>Meant to say "prospective students, not “perspective!” :)</p>

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<p>willmingtonwave,

If you are not a minority, it is not unusual for you to never heard anything. I don’t think you are in the position to speak for the minority, let alone refuting their accounts. Nobody here said “everyone is racist”. Not sure where you got that from. </p>

<p>Most top schools don’t have only 5% Asians, <1.5% internationals, <20% non-whites. At most top schools, Asians alone would be ~20% already (over 20% are Asians at Duke). I honestly don’t recall a single incident like what the OP described during my 4 years in college (as an international student from Asia), let alone “at least once a week”. That’s a big difference to me, unless you are suggesting somehow OP’s experience is some (extraordinary) outlier or he was just ■■■■■■■■. </p>

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So much for “feeling bad”, when you had to suggest OP may somehow be responsible when people wrote “math+violin=slitty eyes” “gook”, etc on his draw-and-erase board.</p>

<p>njmom,
It’s not one person speaking for 4000 students. There are only 66 Asians in the class of 2012 and ~230 Asian students at Wake.</p>

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<p>If things don’t get better soon, perhaps you should decide whether to fight it, through the schools procedures or transfer. If it gets to the point where you’re miserable or feel it not really the college for you it’s no good. These four years are your undergrad experience at time to look back on with good feelings.</p>

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<p>how could you possibly be enjoying your time at wake if you hear racial slurs and comments at least once a week, and even at football games and what not</p>

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<p>I’m still applying to Wake for RD…although I am concerned now.Anyway,cheer up!Hucmenzu ！Try to fight through school procedures if possible.(But I think I saw quite a few Asian students when I was visitig the school this spring.) Wish u the BEST of the randomly said LUCK!</p>

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<p>I really hope that the issues in this thread represent the minority at Wake. My older son seriously considered attenting (ended up chosing another school) and my younger child has already expressed in interest because he tagged along when we toured the campus and loved it. Both my kids would detest this type of attitude and would be very unhappy spending 4 years with these type of students. I guess some research is in order.</p>

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<p>No Sam, your experience at Northwestern wouldn’t be very relevant to most Southern universities. Racial diversity is much greater among top schools in the North. At NU, Asians make up nearly 20% of the student body, but it’s only 7% at Vanderbilt, 5% at Wake, 4% at Davidson, and 3% at Richmond and Washington & Lee. The percentage of Asians at Duke isn’t 20%; it’s actually under 12%, and that’s with a student body that’s largely Northern. Attracting diverse student bodies is still a challenge throughout the South.</p>

<p>But the type of behavior described above isn’t just insensitivity based upon unfamiliarity - it’s harassment that would be a violation of the WF Honor System:
[WFU</a> | Judicial Affairs](<a href=“http://www.wfu.edu/studentlife/judicial/honor.html]WFU”>http://www.wfu.edu/studentlife/judicial/honor.html)</p>

<p>It ought to be formally reported.</p>

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<p>Gadad- You are so correct about formal reporting of something of this nature. However, I think if you go back and read all the posts by the OP, and really put on your “detective” mind, you will see some that there is the possibility of a ■■■■■, right Sam Lee?</p>

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<p>gadad,
I checked Duke’s website and there are 372 Asians in the class of 2013; that’s over 20%. I was a bit surprised too.</p>

<p>njmom,
I did put on my “detective” mind and checked OP’s past posts. It did look to me he/she goes to Wake. But then I guess there’s the possibiltiy of a disgruntled student. I do hope they are exaggerations or not true. As a foreign-born Asian, I’d hope things are better than that on any campus, let alone a top school.</p>

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<p>“let alone a top school” It’s pretty good academically but not really a top school</p>