State of Black Mizzou tackles stigmas, issues

Miscommunication was cited as one of the biggest issues black students encounter.

By Jimmy Hibsch

Published Nov. 12, 2010

Students gathered Wednesday for the State of Black Mizzou panel in the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center to discuss the obstacles faced by MU’s black student community.

The panel began by revealing what it believes to be the most prevalent issues encountering black students at MU.

Junior Aris Williams agreed with the majority of the panel when she said the adjustment from high school to college is the hardest part. She also said black students often don’t branch outside of the black community or enroll in Black Studies courses.

“They think something like, ‘I don’t have to take those classes because I’m black. What do I have to learn?’ but you can actually learn a lot when you take those classes” she said.

Sophomore DeShawn Woodards said the experience he is gaining will benefit him in the future, when he is not surrounded by a predominately black community.

“One day I’m going to be sitting in the board room and there aren’t going to be all black people around me,” Woodards said. “I’m going to have to have had other experiences. I’m going to have to know other things. I can’t just sit there and talk about only stuff that I’m comfortable with.”

Legion of Black Collegians Political chairwoman Whitney Williams said she felt the biggest issue black students face is prioritization. She cited the difference in attendance from the highly populated Play the Part recreational event Monday to the much smaller audience at Wednesday’s panel.

“If we could figure out how to go and support the educational events as much as we support the fun events, then we could definitely get along better,” she said.

She added communication as another aspect where black students struggle.

“The common thread through this entire conversation has been communication among African Americans, among organizations and among the things that we do on this campus,” she said.

Throughout the dialogue, audience members facilitated discussion mostly concerning the communication between black underclassmen and upperclassmen, the black and white Greek Life communities, among others.

Communication, and the need for it, was a topic sophomore moderator Portia King constantly referred to throughout the evening.

“We keep coming back to communication,” King said. “It seems like it’s an issue.”

As the discussion came to a close following two hours of constant dialogue, panelists shared their thoughts on how they believe MU’s black community can improve and how MU can help augment this improvement.

“We need to stop waiting for events like this or people like Nate Parker to come and tell us about the problems that we face in our community,” sophomore Jake Mitchell said. “Even when we do gain that knowledge and that awareness, don’t lose it a week after that person leaves. We should continue to build upon what they say, not just bask in their words. We need to actually make the words actions.”

Graduate student Jasmine Tilghman echoed Mitchell’s remarks, placing an emphasis on the necessity for an individual to assess his or her relationships with others.

“It starts with the individual,” Tilghman said. “Everyone does need to evaluate themselves and their interactions with others. If you have learned anything from this, take it with you.”