Universally, people of color have been belittled due stereotypical assumptions which are created by others. These stereotypes hold power over a person who may appear a different color or facial appearance. This bias excludes people from society and basic human rights like economic opportunities, healthcare, education, housing, and political representation.
As I write this essay, in approximately one week, I will be moved into my college dorm and ready to start my first classes in a new state away from the comfort of my parents, my home, and the place I grew up. As a first-generation college student, this whole
The lack of comprehensive Black history education in schools is a personal subject and close to my heart. Black history is not just a niche topic but a fundamental part of the American story that shapes the present and future. Unfortunately, many educational institutions still fail to teach this essential
Growing up in America as a child of Sudanese immigrants, there was one thing I would frequently hear: “You’re not American, you’re Sudanese.” It always confused me. Why were they mutually exclusive? Couldn’t they coexist as two components of my identity? Of course, I know what their point was. That
As children in America, we are taught to believe that we have the power to become whatever we want by the time we fill our parent’s shoes. At least that’s what we like to say to our kindergarten classes and cohorts of voters. To white Americans that is a promise.
In a world where the shadows of racial otherness and prejudice loom large, one might ask: are we the architects of the very monsters we fear? From the haunting echoes of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to the piercing truths of James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, the question of responsibility reverberates—are
Culture. What is it? How is it made? Who decides what counts as culture and what doesn’t? Is it something of great multitude and purpose, or is it as simple as choosing the outfit you wear today? In a world where every action contributes to the ever-evolving tapestry of human
Every Asian American I have ever met has shared one or more of these similarities: growing up with ethnic foods, slowly forgetting our native speech, or bonding with friends about our overbearing family dynamics. Occasionally, I’ll meet a third-, fourth-, or even fifth-generation kid who can’t relate, but they too
At the Civic Leadership Summit, Antonio and I used the skills we learned at F&C back in 2019. For example, during F&C, we read excerpts from many exceptional authors and philosophers, including John Dewey, James Baldwin, and Frederick Douglass. To organize our reading group, we thought about our favorite writers
While running my reading group, it became clear to me that my leadership of the group was key to its success for the fall semester. I realized I could use my power as the leader of the group to help us strive for success like a professor would do. I