Cindy Rays / Contributing Writer
#BlackLivesMatter is not just a social media trend, but a way of thinking for students looking to reshape and end the way black people have been stereotyped in our society. The discussion happened at the thirds installment of the series of workshops that tackle social justice topics sponsored by the Multicultural Programs and Services.
“I’m not here to change anybody’s mind, rather to have a discussion about the idea behind the movement, the state of racism and discrimination of black people in America and you, the students,” said Jeffrey McNamee, associate director of the Multicultural Program and Services at the University.
Students discussed the many black stereotypes they face every day -positive and negative. They opened up about how this affects their everyday lives and the struggle of having to encounter, according to junior Jephtae Laguerre, “ignorant” people.
“The other day I had a girl tell me that in Africa we don’t wear any clothes, that all we have is leaves to cover our bodies, and we live with wild animals right in our bedroom,” said Ikeakhe Thigie, a junior, whose native country is Nigeria.
Mark Harries, a graduate student, commented on the stereotypes in our society and how he thinks that even if we want to move away from them we are unable to.
“It’s impossible to say they will never exist, you can’t control what other people think about you, we make decisions based on what we previously know,” he said.
“Let’s not accept generalized stereotypes,” said McNamee. “There is not one person in this room that fits into a stereotype we are all multilayered, multifaceted, you are an individual, you may share some attributes of these stereotypes but you do not share them all.”
The discussion then shifted gears on how students can move forward and end the harmful stereotypes. By being in college and getting an education, students are already doing something about not being part of the statistics.
Upon graduating and entering the workforce, students should make a difference by hiring potential employees based on their skills and not weigh in racial stereotypes in the process.
“Why do black lives matter? What would you say if someone asks you this?” asked McNamee.
“I feel the need to sit them down and explain to them why we matter. Teach them, because ignorance is bliss,” Laguerre said.
The students around the room said that black lives matter because of all the accomplishments they have done, and McNamee even shined a light on many important black entrepreneurs, journalist, philanthropists, inventors and doctors.
“Be proud of all the things black people have done,” said McNamee.
Keema Rodway, a junior, ended the discussion with “I feel like we all need to learn and do a little research on the Black Lives Matter movement. I don’t need to show you what I have done for me to matter, even if I didn’t invent or achieve anything, I still matter. You matter not because of your accomplishments or because of what we have done as a community, but black lives matter because of the simple fact that you are a human being.”
The last installment of the workshop series “All Lives Matter: Chinese Lives Matter” will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27, in WUC 253 at 2:30 p.m.
Photo Credit: Cindy Rays