Before my freshman year of college, once I'd accepted my offer of admission to attend THE Texas A&M University, I was asked a question that gave me a lot of pause
"How do you think people of color perceive Texas A&M?"
It didn't take me long to come up with a response seeing as I was speaking for myself. I promptly answered that, "[people of color] don't see people like them [at Texas A&M] so they tend to shy away, not apply, choose a school with more diverse demographics, etc."
The other day, I walked into the Academic Building- which A&M regards as the "centerpiece for main campus"- where one of my classes is held. Not surprisingly, there was a group of high school students on a campus tour looking up at the replica of the Liberty Bell that the building houses. I wasn't concerned so much with the tour though as I was with the students on the tour. Every last student on this particular tour was black. As I was walking up the steps I'd noticed that about three or four students had broken off and quit paying attention. When I reached my class upstairs, I was horribly upset with myself that I didn't start a conversation with these students and encourage them.
I remember my first time at what would become my future school. During my junior year of high school, I attended an Aggieland Saturday- "The biggest day of the year for Aggieland hopefuls". I remember being disappointed and self-conscious at the lack of diversity not only of the tour guides and college students I saw on campus, but of my fellow prospective students.
The student demographics of Texas A&M are laughable-- that is if I wasn't crying at least. In Fall 2017, Black students made up 3.66% of the student body. That's 2,508 students. There are 68,603 students total at A&M. However, white students made up 57.02% of the student body with 39,120 students.
The summer before I was to begin my freshman year of college, Aggie twitter waged war on the lack of diversity amongst the Fish Camp counselors. In response, I saw many students proclaiming that the reason that there wasn't much diversity in the counselors was because minorities just didn't apply.
They didn't apply..... I don't like that excuse.
Someone very influential in my life once told me that whenever he goes to the car dealership, he always asks the salesmen what car they drive. His reasoning,
"If this car that you're trying to sell me is SO good, why don't you drive it yourself?"
Dear prospective black students,
I chose to attend Texas A&M University because I believe it's THAT good. I've bought into [literally] the quality of education that this school produces. I'm not trying to sell you a car that I myself haven't bought. I knew all of the facts listed above and came anyways. I decided that the reason that there aren't a lot of black students at this school was because "they just didn't apply" was not going to apply to me. I applied and by the grace of God, I will graduate from THE Texas A&M University. I want to come back in a few years and see a completely different school, and that starts with you.
So please, don't let lack of diversity be a reason that you choose a different school. You come and you be the change that you want to see. Once you arrive, you'll be welcomed with open arms by a community that only wants to see you succeed. You won't be alone and we won't let you fail.
Thanks and Gig'em, see you soon.
