USI Black students talk life experiences

BY ALYSON COLLINS and EMALEE JONES

“Honestly, being Black has made me more serious as a person and aware of my surroundings. It has also made me think about my future constantly.”

“I’ve had to overcome some challenges, and there have been times where I felt like I had to prove that I belonged all because the color of my skin was different.”

“I don’t view myself as minority. I grew up in a majority Black population, Haiti and Mulato as minorities in English terms.”

“I used to have an identify crisis due to the color of my skin whether if I was criticizing, ‘Am I Black enough?’ because I don’t look like the rest of my peers, but knowing that I am 100% Black, I flourish through it.”

“It would be nice to see more diversity on campus, but I know that if I’m the only person in class that looks like me, I take that as my time to shine.”

“I feel like I am often stereotyped as unintelligent or intimidating until people get to know me, and I am proud of my Blackness even when others look down on me for it.”