GUEST COMMENTARY: 'SPIRIT OF ENTHUSIASM UNFAIRLY DISTRIBUTED

by Deanna S. Crosby

This fall, millions of students will experience college for the first time. Across the globe, young men and women will personalize the "old war stories" that have been handed down by those who came and went before them. Seeking the wisdom of veterans is an ancient practice. However, can people trust the experiences of others to foretell their fulfillment or disappointment?

Suppose a potential student of Asian decent asked a Caucasian alumnus about what to expect from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. It's likely that the information or prediction would be suspiciously accurate. However, if a new African American student was to ask someone of a different ethnicity about the University, they would probably have trouble finding many African American students who identified with the same opinions and experiences.

African American alumni and students openly voice much dissatisfaction with UM-St. Louis. Many people seem to believe that little, if any, of the institution's spirit of enthusiasm is extended or intended for African Americans. Nicholas Wren, an African American graduate student, says, "There are many subtle differences in the way black students are treated, versus how whites are treated." Wren continued to comment on how some professors seem to sympathize and express a degree of preference toward white students. Unfortunately, he isn't alone in his convictions. Several other students speak of instances in which whites partake in leniencies such as the retaking of final exams and grade negotiations, while blacks are refused by the same professors.

All students should be entitled to the same level of comfort or discomfort. If a professor's sense of self is edified in rigidity, then distress should be distributed evenly among all students. The same doctrine can be applied to professors who process a rare air of kindness. If one student is relieved, then all should be relieved. However, despite the simplicity of this solution, there will always be individuals who are unable to grasp it. Therefore students should always take the necessary precautions for combating such ignorance. A good start would be to inquire about the various campus organizations that support and mentor African American students. Help is available. All of the afflicted must keep one thought in mind: A strong tribe will never go down without a fight.

Deanna S. Crosby is a representative of the Coalition of Black Student Organizations.