Coming from a suburban Illinois high school where I was one of only five African-American students in my graduating class, I thought I’d arrived at one of the most diverse universities in America when I first came to Creighton and saw dozens of students who looked just like me scattered among the masses on the ever-active mall.
Eager to get involved in campus organizations, I quickly became an active member of the Creighton University African-American Student Association.
Not only did this organization help me make my first black friends, but it also provided me with several unique perspectives that when compiled allow me to take a holistic view on what it means to be an African-American student at Creighton University.
For me, being an African-American Creighton student places me in a position to serve as a mentor for others, both like and unlike myself, to let them know anything is possible through hard work and perseverance.
When I think about all of the brave men and women who have fought, suffered and sacrificed for me to be able to have an equal opportunity at an education from a prestigious university like Creighton, I feel the least I can do to repay their sacrifice is to be the best student I can possibly be and conduct myself in a respectable manner that allows me to serve as a role model for other African- American youth.
Although fulfilling this implicit responsibility does require me to represent myself and those associated with me in the best possible light, I am in no way required to serve as a spokesperson or representative for the entire black community.
African-Americans are not a homogenous group, and therefore the experiences and actions of one African-American student does not reflect those of all African-American students. Arts & Sciences sophomore Eboni Poole said she feels this distinction is very important.
“[African-Americans] are not all the same,” Poole said. “All of us have grown up in different environments, so our experiences are different. You have to know our individual stories before you can judge us or expect us to answer a question on behalf of the entire black community.”
As an African-American student, I also feel it is important for me to serve as an advocate for increased diversity on campus. Although the number of African American students may seem like a lot to me, when compared to the number of white students, this number is significantly less.
Students like Business junior and CUASA president Symone Sanders constantly challenge fellow CUASA members not to become complacent and strive to increase diversity on campus.
For Sanders, diversity is very important because she said it provides students with “a new perspective on life.”
“Socioeconomic status, cultural background, gender and life experience all play an important role in diversity,” Sanders said. “If one wants to truly develop and grow to be a full person, diversity is key.”
In order to increase diversity on campus, Sanders suggested Creighton consider more scholarship opportunities for low-income families and multicultural students.
“Many students rely on scholarships to fund their education and every year the number of students needing assistance grows while the pool seemingly stays the same,” Sanders said.
“Sewing financially into the underrepresented groups on campus via scholarships and organizational support would demonstrate to both present and future students that Creighton truly values actual diversity and not just the idea of it.”
As both an African-American and a student, I also feel it is important for me to assist my fellow black students in feeling welcome and having as smooth of a transition into the Creighton family as I experienced.
Because I’ve lived in suburban areas and attended predominantly white schools my entire life, I experienced very little turbulence in my transition to Creighton. However, for other African-American students who didn’t grow up in the same environment, the Creighton atmosphere may bring about a type of culture shock.
Being able to connect with other African-American students who identified with me and where I was coming from really helped me to feel at home at Creighton, and I look forward to having the opportunity to repay this kindness to future students.
Despite the generally kind and welcoming nature of Creighton students, Nursing senior Antwonette Hobbs said being able to connect with individuals from her own culture made all the difference in her transition.
“[As African-American students] we are minorities,” Hobbs said. “It’s important for us to reach out to one another because new students that are not used to this environment are going to be miserable until they find a connection with other students who are like them.”
While it may appear the history and responsibilities associated with being an African-American student at a prestigious university hold me at a different standard, it does not, however, set me apart from my fellow Creighton students. From the first day I arrived on campus I was welcomed into the Creighton family with loving and open arms, and I have felt nothing but respect ever since.
Although I can’t ignore the fact that racial differences have an impact on the experiences of many African American students, at the end of the day the most important colors on nearly everyone’s minds are blue and white.