Being The Token Black | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Being The Token Black

Here's my two cents.

81
Being The Token Black
Buzzfeed

Doodling in my notebook as I await the end of my 8:00 a.m. English class, I realize that suddenly all eyes are on me. I flip my eyes back to the book that we were reading and suddenly realize that the line that was just read must be the one that has the word “nigger” in it. Suddenly I am much more aware of the demographic of my class. I beamed my eyes all around to find any other visible “person of color” but was to no avail. Now this is awkward.

Coming from a more diverse elementary, middle and high school, I would not have guessed that during my college years that I would go to a very large public university, but be the only person in some classes with “brown skin.” (And for the sake of this story, visibly brown skin makes a difference, regardless if there were other persons of color in the class.) Iowa State University, the college I attend, reported 30,034 students for undergrad in Fall of 2015. 802 of those students were black and only 12.74 percent made up the grand total of minority’s. By Spring 2016, the number for undergraduate students who were a minority was 12.7 percent, only 723 of those black.

Yes that means, currently, there are 87.3 percent of people at Iowa State University who are not the minority. I cannot say that those percentage are “White/Caucasian,” because Iowa State University does not release a report of those who classify as such, but regardless, I am a part of the minority.

I had eyes on me, waiting to hear me say something or do something. I didn’t know what they expected of me. Did they assume the “angry black women stereotype?” Did they want to speak for me? Fight for me? It was almost like a national geographic moment. Everything slows down and a person watches as a lion stalks their prey. Holding their breath, for fear of their own life just by watching.

To finish the story, I didn’t say anything. It was part of the text; the writer wanted it to be read that way. What else was I to say? It did not bother me.

In that moment, things went over well. But I’ve been in other classes where all eyes were on me and they expected me to enlighten them on something they felt that they could not speak about. Yes, I understand that “Black Lives Matter” is a big deal and even more so I understand that people thrive off of controversial conversations. But I did not want to feed into that. And I especially did not want people to think that just because I am black, I have the answer to “all things black.” It just doesn’t work that way, and hell, if it did, I would be rich right now.

It is hard being the token black and people trying to use you for change. But it can be harder looking in a lecture hall and realizing that you might actually be the only person in your class of 300, that is a “brown skin” black person. What I wish I could say to every person who turned to me and whispered “Can you please explain this, since you’re black?”, is to just do some research. I do answer some questions, those that come with good heart, but most of the time I’m a quick reference guide so they can feel that they are being politically correct. I know I am the minority, and yes, I have met some people who have never seen a black person before, but that doesn’t change that I’m a student. Just like the person sitting next to me in class, and I’m trying, just like everyone else, to succeed. So, if Harriet Tubman won an unofficial vote to be on the twenty dollar bill, I think it’s finally time to stop treating me, or anyone else, as just another token.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193320
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16719
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459256
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27407
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments