<p>I hear that there is a lot of racism at Washington & Lee because of it's predominantly white student body. I was wondering if it was true because I would not feel comfortable at a school like that. My friend's cousin, who attends W&L, told her about it.</p>
<p>i feel like your comment is racist. just because someone is white doesn't mean they are racist. go to some other school if you're that close-minded.</p>
<p>Where the hell did you hear that nonsense information from?</p>
<p>The assumption that the student body is racist because it's predominantly white is really over the top. If you actually believe that premise there's going to be an awful lot of schools to cross off your list. Good luck.</p>
<p>First off, I am not closed minded, and the high percentage of white people doesn't mean I think it's racist. There are a lot of schools with a high percentage of caucasians that I don't think are racist. I was just startled when my friend told me about what her cousin's roommate said.</p>
<p>"Oh, when I heard you were from (a certain state), I was afraid that you might be black."</p>
<p>I know that everyone at the school isn't racist, but things like that really open your eyes. </p>
<p>And just to let you know, I am white, so who's the racist now?</p>
<p>("Oh, when I heard you were from (a certain state), I was afraid that you might be black."</p>
<p>I know that everyone at the school isn't racist, but things like that really open your eyes. </p>
<p>And just to let you know, I am white, so who's the racist now?)</p>
<p>First of all your cousin's roommate is an idiot, however, one person doesn't represent an entire student body. Thankfully you some-what recognized that.</p>
<p>And your final comment is stupid and kind of immature. Because a) you don't know the race of the other posters, b) so what your white? Does that mean no one can be racist against you?</p>
<p>you should look up the stats for yourself, not word of mouth because it can become like "broken telephone"</p>
<p>and i agree with "zackr13"</p>
<p>Thank you, and I do apologize for my rash statement.</p>
<p>Okay, is there a more rational way of asking this?</p>
<p>Current students, do you feel race poses more of an issue on W&L campus than it does on the campuses of it's peer campusess?
Sure this is a problem at many universities, but how do you find the state of interacial relations at W&L?</p>
<p>One of my daughter's very best buddies/srat sisters is a young woman of color. Another good friend/sister is Asian. Last time I checked, my daughter was kinda pale and green-eyed. Her photos from school show all varieties of people, although there are certainly more white people. I don't mean this to be patronizing, but illustrative.</p>
<p>In the age of Obama I am amazed that people still seemingly want to LOOK for prejudice. Seek and you shall find, I say.</p>
<p>For anyone of any color, I recommend going on one of the pre-orientation trips. Good way to meet random people.</p>
<p>When I visited, I noticed a lot of blacks.</p>
<p>And who cares if your friend's cousin's roomate did not want a black roomate. It's a free country, and that doesn't even make her racist.</p>
<p>is that what we are calling it now, "the age of obama?" wow, and he has only been president for how long?</p>
<p>Meacham:</a> The Age of Obama | Newsweek Politics: The Road to the Inauguration | Newsweek.com</p>
<p>I am a black student at W&L and I would like to set the record straight a bit. First off, I love Washington and Lee. I am happy with my decision. After three years at this school I am proud of what I have accomplished here. I have friends in the black and international community. But, I also have friends in the greek scene (which is predominately white).</p>
<p>W&L is predominately white. The student body is overwhelmingly homogeneous as far as socio-economic and cultural background. For some students, that is one of the attractions of the school. This year, there were a total of 66 African American students on the undergrad side. Small back community met with large homogeneous white community, of course there will be some conflict, prejudice and misunderstandings. I’m offended that people assume that just because we have a biracial president means that an “old south” school like W&L is the picture perfect model for culturally integrated college campus. That is not the case. And, it is not the case for this nation. Electing President Obama is a huge step. A wonderful step for this country. But let’s not pretend that racism and prejudice is dead. Don’t be ashamed for being curious about the cultural climate on a campus. That makes you a smart college hunter. Smarter than I was when I looked into W&L.</p>
<p>If you come to W&L it is inevitable that you will face prejudice and racist situations that you may not encounter at a better culturally balanced school. There are some students that never grew up around students of color and it makes them uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s a simple misunderstanding/misconception, that needs to be corrected by a mature and patient multicultural student. </p>
<p>Personally, I have had racial experiences that I never thought that I would have to go through in the 21st century. But, I argue that it is getting better. Comparing what W&L was when my alum friends were freshman and what it is now…the change is incredible. The racist students on campus are in the minority and tend to keep their opinions to themselves. The most trouble you would get is sitting in a politics class (liberals vs. conservatives…if you’re on the liberal side, I hope you know your stuff, you will definitely be out numbered)</p>
<p>In my opinion, the road goes both ways. There are black students that have let a few bad experiences influence the entirety of their college career. Those students limit their experiences at W&L. If you go into W&L looking for a race fight, you’ll find it. But, if you go in, live your life, concentrate on your passions and education, and try to get to know people for more than their boat shoes and madras blazers, you’ll find that W&L has a lot to offer you.</p>
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<p>First, thank you for sharing your experience. But the way you chose to interpret what I said about the election of Obama is incorrect. I certainly don’t assume anything of the kind.</p>
<p>I said that there is prejudice everywhere if you look for it - even at a racially diverse school, I would bet. But if a racially diverse school is important to a student, why would he or she look at W&L? Indeed, most small LACs are predominantly white - at least based on the many that I have seen.</p>
<p>Personally I do not believe that prejudice is ever going to go away. Sadly it is a human characteristic to be wary of what is different. But we have come amazingly far, based upon the election of Obama. I’ve seen a lot in my life - remember, I was at college during the Reagan years, a man who was elected by pandering to the old south and “states rights”. You can imagine how he was skewered on a liberal college campus, but he was still the man that the majority of the country elected - twice. Sorry if it makes me happy to see a very different kind of man elected now.</p>
<p>Well said nefarious. I think your comments regarding the racial climate at W&L are accurate. It is evident there have been significant changes at W&L for the better. As you said, if people come in looking for problems, if they are hypersensitive, they will likely find things to interpret in a way to fit their expectations. However, for the most part, W&L is really mischaracterized – mostly by those with no direct experience. In fact, I see far worse conditions at schools where this type of issue is seldom raised by prospectives. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, word gets out slowly. People resist the idea that a place like W&L can be anything other than intolerant. I have encountered few people outside W&L who will even entertain the concept that it has something to offer minority students. They are completely wrong, but old stereotypes die hard. </p>
<p>I think that is one of the biggest PR challenges W&L faces these days.</p>
<p>This is the stupidest thread ever, For all of you who attacked the original person who posted this, grow up, He asked a very valid question,some schools have a rep of still being racist. It’s obviously wrong but if you can’t accept the fact that it’s true then get your head out of the gutter and grow up. He didn’t ask it in any rude way, kid’s deciding on a college hear a lot of things about the school and they want clarification, the fact that he/she realized this statement was bad and wanted clarification is obviously a good thing. To those of you who attacked this poster, you should be ashamed of yourself and get out a little more.</p>
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<p>While a couple of responses were harsh, the premise that a school is racist because it is predominantly white is hardly valid.</p>
<p>First off, thanks FLVADAD. It is a huge PR problem and I think they’re still trying to work out how to address it to prospective, if at all. Admissions tries incredibly hard to have multicultural students meet and hang out with multicultural upperclassmen but it doesn’t always work. Not everyone wants to come visit a school and only hang out with kids of color. Some students are turned off by multiculturalism being thrown in their face. Also, some of the upperclassmen that enjoy hosting multicultural prospectives are students that may not even really like W&L. Being in charge of admissions and PR at W&L is not an easy job at all! </p>
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<p>“I said that there is prejudice everywhere if you look for it - even at a racially diverse school, I would bet. But if a racially diverse school is important to a student, why would he or she look at W&L? Indeed, most small LACs are predominantly white - at least based on the many that I have seen.”</p>
<p>dobiesk8r, you’re absolutely right. i mentioned that in my post as well. If you go to W&L looking for a fight, you will definitely get one. And, being excited about Obama is great, no one is faulting you for that. I was a little offended by your “in the age of obama” sentence. I felt like you were shaming the poster for being concerned about something completely legitimate. You may have meant differently. The original poster could have worded the question better so that it didn’t come to a huge shock to people who rarely discuss race. But, then again, that’s how these forums work. It always seems to be about people arguing over misunderstandings. </p>
<p>My real concern was to make sure that the original poster received an accurate idea of what the campus is like culturally. Kudos to your daughter for having a few friends of color. But that does not give the poster a good understanding of what the entire campus is like.</p>
<p>"But if a racially diverse school is important to a student, why would he or she look at W&L? "</p>
<p>That is a good question. I think many students have an idea of themselves that they will thrive anywhere. I was one of those students. But, if you are not familiar with southern or “old south” culture. If you did not grow up in an 80% and up white neighborhood, etc. It can be an adjustment. But, I would hope that strong and determined multicultural students continue to come to W&L. Diversity is a part of education and I think the campus is starting to realize that. I cannot tell you how much I’ve learned about some of my friend’s southern culture and in turn they have learned (and have had stereotypes corrected) about my background and culture. Talking about it in class, in social settings, and on boards like this is important for W&L. This is a conversation that never would have happened ten years ago. To be honest, I cannot see what would be better training for a young liberal than to defend themselves for four years on an overwhelmingly conservative campus.</p>
<p>Also, thanks FLVADAD.</p>
<p>Thanks for the frank discussion of this question. My D, who is beginning the college search process, recently visited W&L and was really surprised by how much she liked the place. It seems that the college is really making an effort to move beyond the old stereotype, and that’s important to her. (She’s not a person of color, but she is liberal, vocal, northern, and not religious.) This comment from nefarious echoes something she said to me after the visit:
She’s eager to explore outside the liberal bubble we live in. I’d love to hear from others who have experienced this type of challenging political climate as part of their college experience.</p>