<p>so i just visited and while i was at UVA i noticed that there was a lot of self segregation. I was almost 100% sure i wanted to go to UVA, but when i saw all of this i was scared that if i go there i will not be able to make any friends outside of the black community. Where i currently live is a very diverse area, and i have friends of many different backgrounds, so only having black friends would be strange to me. Am i right about worrying about this?</p>
<p>Yes, you are right for worrying about this, because it can be a great concern.</p>
<p>Were you at the spring fling? and what I got from their presentations is if you go in with a close mind that no other race will want to associate with you then that is what will happen.</p>
<p>Of course there will be other people that want to have nothing to do with you because of your skin color, but that will be a very small few amount of people.</p>
<p>I don’t plan on talking to many african american students that are not on McIntire route because I know I have to be focused to get into the school just like the african american valedictorian of notre dame recently.</p>
<p>I have to agree that this is a thing that I have definitely noticed here, unfortunately. And I am sad to say that it seems to be the black students sticking in groups. However, I am fortunate enough to have wonderful friends of all backgrounds, because those people have been open-minded enough to read out of their ‘comfort zone’ and make friends with everybody. It’s up to you whether you choose to or not.</p>
<p>Badabing, you said it yourself. It’s self-segregation. If you don’t want to do that, then you won’t do that. You will fit fine if you keep yourself open. If you segregate yourself, it’s bound to happen.</p>
<p>In addition i think it is a nice glimpse into the real world.</p>
<p>Where ever you go in life there will be racism/ segregation whether it is blatant or hidden.</p>
<p>“Glimpse into the real world”?!?!?!?
this is actually really scaring me now. I have never experienced anything like this before and im legitimately getting worried that i will not be accepted there because i am black. Where i live is a majority of upper class white people, and i mean i am upper class too, so i dont understand how i could NOT fit in</p>
<p>I had a wide variety of friends of all colors through my dorm, clubs, and classes. It is up to you how you pick your friends here. You should make friends through similar interests. Sometimes people think that only people of their skin color have similar interests. I’m not sure if this is the majority here.
The reason you can’t choose your dorm (Alderman vs McCormick) is that in the past, when student did choose, they segregated themselves so that McCormick was all pre-greek people while Alderman was anyone with any minority type status. You could also see this in the demographics of the Faulkner/Copeley dorms (more diverse) vs Gooch/Dillard when the latter was not first year housing. Faulkner/Copeley is still more diverse than an average dorm but the white counterpart dorm doesn’t exist to the same extent it used to (Lambeth is somewhat mixed, not sure about Bice). You can also see the effect today when you ride the bus. Take NorthLine from Barracks to grounds and you will see before the Lambeth stop it is all African American people riding (getting on from the Copeley and Faulkner stops). It is ridiculous.
So I would say to trust your instincts, but know that if you want to break away from this possible majority of self segregation, it is very possible and no one is segregating you away (it is the other way, self segregation).</p>
<p>My daughter’s best friend is currently a second year living in Lambeth. Of the six girls, one is white (my daughter’s friend), one mixed black/white, one Asian, one Pacific Islander and one black. 5 of the 6 (all but the Asian) lived together last year and are renting an off campus house next year. While the segregation may be there, it can certainly be overcome if you go with an open mind.</p>
<p>At UVA, you choose to hangout with whoever you want. The reason why people “self-segregate”, particularly by race, is because they feel as if they relate more with people of their own race.</p>
<p>Also, do not let anyone convince you that the black community is the only community that “self-segregates”. The white community, the asian community, and the latino community (as small as it is) “self-segregate” as well.</p>
<p>Final note: Spring Fling is for black people. It is a time for black prospects to meet, become friends, and get a sense of the black culture at UVA before they make a final decision about which colleges they would like to attend. Black students at UVA are trying to build a stronger community, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>Bigshot: UVA is not even close to being a “glimpse into the real world.” UVA is, and always will be (until some significant changes occur), an isolated bubble.</p>
<p>I have to admit, though, that UVA is making an effort to better associate with the Charlottesville/Albermarle County community.</p>