<p>My friend's son who is African American encountered unexpected racism from a professor during his first semester at a California school. (And California has much more diversity than Kansas as a whole.) He transferred to a small private school called Xavier in New Orleans and he is now very happy. The transfer was quick and easy. They have reasonable prices for a private college and great financial aid. Perhaps you could get a full-ride. BTW, Xavier is well known in the sciences and they say they have the highest placement rate of African-Americans into medical school of any school in the country. Check out their website.</p>
<p>If you catch the attention of a dean while trying to talk through your experiences, here's a link to a program run by the AntiDefamation League. They bring trainers to the campus to do workshops about cutting down the racism on campuses. I noticed some of the schools served had a profile that sounded a bit like KSU. </p>
<p>I also noted that they saw campus as a place where racist things do happen, which is why they started this program. Perhaps just reading about it will give you courage, knowing that others recognize it as a problem and you're not alone here. </p>
<p>Or perhaps some of the agencies at KSU that hifi mentioned might be able to bring in some help if they'd like to see these programs occur on the campus.</p>
<p>All of that is outside of whether or not you, personally, decide to stay there.</p>
<p>A</a> WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ® Institute - A CAMPUS OF DIFFERENCE</p>
<p>Dlp108, I know what you are going through. I attended a university with over 90% white student population, and it took me about a year to find my friends. I will sit in a class for an entire semester and none of the students will even say hi to me. The student body was also very socially conservative, so I had very little in commom with a lot of the students. </p>
<p>Are you a member of any clubs on campus? I met my friends at an on campus job that I had. If you belong to a club, or if you work with other students, you tend to have more in common with those students than the rest of the student body. </p>
<p>I can guarantee you that, if you search hard enough you can find your people at KS. If you think KS is too expensive, you can enroll in CC for two years and transfer to a 4 year college in Florida. </p>
<p>The most important thing is to have a plan (with backup plans), so that you don't lose sight of what is important. Think about where you want to be in a year, 2 years, 3 years etc, and come up with plans to help you get there. </p>
<p>Racism can be painful, but don't dwell too much on it.</p>
<p>I think the Black Student Union web site has not been updated since 2006.</p>
<p>wow..I am a student and I do feel thankful for support and everything...I can't give much in terms of advice because I don't know much, but i really hope everything works out okay.</p>
<p>come to socal =)</p>
<p>Wow, maybe it's because I live in a very diverse state (FL), but even my school with similar demographics (90% white) doesn't have any of the same issues. You should definitely look to transfer if this is really bugging you; there are so many schools out there where you won't find this problem.</p>
<p>I suggest New College of Florida-- it's public with great merit/need $$ and very accepting</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am sorry to hear of the racism that you are encountering. Have you ever confronted any of the girls who are saying these rude things? Or, do you think they may be violent or dangerous? Maybe you could politely ask them why they feel the need/right to use derogatory language with another human being. It seems that they are very ignorant and unhappy people. Please do not allow them to steal your joy away. Your future is too bright for their ignorance to dim. </p>
<p>However, I do not think I could or would choose to stay in such an environment. You may consider finding a good college in FL that would make you happy, as others before me have suggested.</p>
<p>I also understand having parents who can't/won't contribute much to your college expenses. I don't know your personal situation, but sometimes parents shut down and act mean because they CANNOT help you, not because they don't want to. Maybe your mom really wants the best for you and she wants to help but she cannot. Please don't resent her- life is too short to be hating your only mother. Maybe you can talk to her about it.</p>
<p>In the end, its your life and you are responsible for whatever becomes of it. And, you can definitely succeed without help from your mom because you have already moved cross country, overcome EXTREME racism, and much more. KUDOS to you!!!!</p>
<p>Stay strong and get away from Kansas...Things are much different here in DC and I'm sure you must know of some great placed in Florida, your home.</p>
<p>Please PM if I can be of help.</p>
<p>I agree with TerrarumOrbis: New College of Florida is a WONDERFUL school. I am white and live in California but lived in Florida from the 60's off and on till now (family, etc...) and I've seen horrific predudism with my own eyes. It is terrible and unacceptable! Your college years should be the very best years of your life. You will not change the attitude of that school. Don't waste another minuet at that school so that they can fill their quota of 'african americans'. Get out as soon as possible and join one of many schools in the country that embrace diversity. If you need any more help, please come to CC as there are many wise, loving, and caring parents here that are more than willing to help you. Good luck.</p>
<p>People are recommending specific schools, but I would say you could go pretty much anywhere that's not known for those kinds of mentalities. I mean the vast majority of colleges in USA are liberal and not ignorant. Sounds like KSU isn't a very good school in that regard.</p>
<p>kathiep- They told me before I came here that fin aid for me woouldnt be a problem since I'm independent and a minority so I came and now I'm 2,000 short. I dont know what Im going to do about it. A few people on campus have been trying to help me and one person has actually gotten the cashiers office to agree to life my holds so I can register for classes as long as I at least agree to pay the money back as i can and put up 20 bucks so thats a start. I'm meeting with the dean of student life in about two hours because she has some suggestions for me and she also spoke with the vice president of admissions and finance about my situation.</p>
<p>Nester- I havent met any minority professors but even the non minority ones are great. I'm meeting with the diversity dual careers office director today to discuss a the issues Ive been having and see what she suggest I should do. Moving out could be an option or even tranfering but that sucks that I have to run away to get away from a problem no one deserves to endure. Im so tired of trying to tell my RA and my RLC (residence life coordinator) about the racial issues because its a given to them and they swear that my generation is alot more accepting then their grandparents and parents were but some are not and make life living hell for the people they choose to harrass.</p>
<p>kristin5792-Thank for for the advice, yeah Ive looked into KU because Ive heard its alot of liberal but the only person they have a bigger african american student body is because of sports, Im not sure but Im not going to asssume. I actually like mizzou, one of these kids from high school goes there but she says it isnt very diverse. We went to the most diverse high school in our county back in florida so going somewhere where it isnt as diverse is ackward. I miss my high school.</p>
<p>hifi-Lol I live in Moore Hall actually and there isn't a diversity team. Thats old stuff, 2003 old. But we do have a MA (Multicutural Assistant) each dorm hall has one because they knwo what type of crap goes on here. They arent very helpful, they just get free room and board to put on programming that sometimes have nothing to do with diversity or multicutural affairs.</p>
<p>EtTuBrutus- Those frats and sororitys are terrible for doing those things. I dont know what makes people think that their better then anyone else because of their race. Jeeze. </p>
<p>I like that qoute.</p>
<p>Like I tell some of my friends "I just wish some people would get to know me because they make these assumptions about me in their head. Because the vast majority of the time when they do get to know me, they always end up saying "Wow your so much different then I thought you were."</p>
<p>hmm i wonder if Michael Beasley's having same problem..</p>
<p>but as for your concern, i'd transfer. You don't deserve all that crap from ignorant hicks in Kansas. This miserable feeling might actually lead you to do something you'll regret so I suggest that u go back to Florida or some other place where diversity is encouraged.</p>
<p>"As for this situation, it is not uncommon. The overt nature of it is a bit over the top but it does not surprise me. "</p>
<p>What the OP is describing is very uncommon. H and I and our sons went to overwhelmingly white colleges and did not experience the kind of things that the OP describes.</p>
<p>Overt racism is so rare that The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education lists each month incidents that have occurred on campuses across the country. Experiencing overt racism isn't something that one should expect while going to any college except possibly Bob Jones College, which didn't even accept blacks until a couple of years ago.</p>
<p>There is absolutely no reason to stay at a college where you're experiencing such racism and also are having to pay lots of money to attend. Just isn't worth it.</p>
<p>Your own home state -- Florida -- is very diverse and has lots of 4-year and 2-year colleges that are diverse. I know students of all races at Florida colleges (including my S) and no one has complained about racism. It simply isn't tolerated on their campuses.</p>
<p>Florida colleges are also either better (UF, Rollins) or just as good as KSU, so no reason to stay at KSU for the education. </p>
<p>Hard for me to imagine, too, that you couldn't have a better financial deal by going back to Florida. </p>
<p>In addition, unless you want to make Kansas your permanent home, going to Florida colleges would give you better advantages when it comes to getting jobs, internships in Florida or the South, where you're not likely to be in the distinct racial minority virtually anywhere.</p>
<p>dip - KSU is one of our stateU's and I am embarassed. Your description of many of the students and the environments they come from is very accurate. Probably more than 80% of the kids come from Kansas. My D attends a private top 12 school with a lot of diversity. She is home for the summer and went up to KU (our other stateU) to visit some friends yesterday. When she returned home I asked her if she was sorry she didn't go to KU (for free!) and be with her friends, rather than the very difficult school she attends. She remarked on the students she saw and how different they were from the kids at her school. She said how they dress, their social "ranking", and how cool they are is all alot of them seemed concerned with. She said that she didn't hear one "academic" conversation here entire time there - very different from the school she attends, where nearly every conversation is cerebral! She said, no thank you, she would stay at the school she attends. I think I would go back to Florida also. I am not sure what KSU has to offer you. </p>
<p>thirstyice - I was thinking the same thing! Isn't the BIGGEST man on the KSU campus right now basketball standout Michael Beasley - who is African-American/Hispanic!! Maybe the OP needs to talk to him. I think if they became friends the comments would come to a screeching halt!</p>
<p>Also the black population of Kansas is about 5% while the black population of Florida is about 15%. Probably the Hispanic population of Florida is also much higher than that in Kansas. Consequently, you are much more likely to be around students who are comfortable with racial/ethnic diversity in Fla. than in Kansas.</p>
<p>Or come to Illinois.</p>
<p>I agree with the other posters, dlp. There are so many other options and while it may be hard for you to believe it when in the midst of this situation, you do not need to put up with that type of treatment. Why be the martyr? Discussing the situation with the dean, professors or the head of multicultural affairs is not going to change the campus environment. The students that are harassing you and other African-American students will not be forced to change. </p>
<p>A woman I know says racism is a weapon of mass distraction. Your situation exemplifies that. You're under siege, you're unhappy, you're stressed - who is it impacting? You. Your education is bound to suffer, as well as your self-esteem. </p>
<p>As a mother of a college student and a rising hs senior, my motherly advice to you is to move on and go somewhere else. Do not return to KU for the fall semester. Do not stay for the summer.</p>
<p>I'd just say goodbye to Kansas State. If this was 1960 and you had a whole lot of family support I might challenge you to stay and try to change the place. But this is 2008, there are LOTS of places you could go where you would be treated better and you deserve a fun college experience.</p>