“Women are the only oppressed group in our society that lives in intimate
association with their oppressors.” Evelyn Cunningham

When I first received my acceptance letter to Manhattanville College I was ecstatic. It was my top choice and seemed like a great institution founded on strong morals and a dedication to social awareness and diversity. In fact Manhtanville’s mission is “To prepare students, through rigorous academic and co-curricular programs, for ethical and socially-responsible leadership in a global community.” My experiences at Manhattanville and the student life include working with various programs through the Duchesne Center even leading my own program Ladies Room, as well as being a member and holding the Public Relations chair of BSU (Black Student Union). I have been a resident all four years at Manhattanville and utilize all the facilities that the school provides. So what makes my experience standout you may ask? It is because I feel that I have experienced things differently being an African American female student. As a Sociology Major and African Studies Minor, as well as someone who was recently accepted into a Masters Program in Boston, MA to receive my MSW (Master of Social Work), studying race and the dynamic of people is something that truly intrigues me. As I have taken many courses about diversity and racism, I am fully aware that racism and stereotyping occurs everywhere in even the slightest forms and I would like to bring attention to the ways in which I feel it happens here on campus. My intention is to bring these issues to light so that we can correct them and become more educated and aware.

Manhattanville College provides an environment that enables me to communicate with people of all races and ethnicities. However, I have noticed the way in which some of my friends interact with me. It is the media’s stereotypes and portal of black women that affects their interaction. Whether they want me to make up “hip” handshakes or want me to teach them things that are depicted as being from the black community (how to dance, how to braid, etc., assuming that I myself know how to do these things, which I do not) nor would it be a surprise to hear my male White friends ask me to “drop it like its hot”, “shake what my mama gave me”, or usually twisting their hands up to mock gangs signs to which I do not belong . While this may seem as innocent fun, if we look deeper into the subject these are clear examples of how others value African American women and the influence and power of the media. The media teaches us through the many programs and many videos portrayed of African American women (yes rapped by black men, however owned by White men) that this is the way a women should be treated, whether she is a professional, student, mother, or whatever the case may be. What bothers me most is that it does not matter that I am a peer like anyone else, in the same classroom with the same professor, capable of the same challenges and achievements. However, because I am a Black women I am the one addressed as “yo” “Shorty” “ma”- not the Asian girl across the room or the Caucasian girl to the left of me. As a future social worker I feel that it is very important that we sit down and reflect upon our actions and analyze the root problem and how to bring about social change. As I have mentioned, this school prides itself on building ethical and socially-responsible leaders so I feel it is the responsibility of not only the college but the individuals to carry out this mission inside and outside of the classroom. The topics of race, stereotypes, and patriarchy are overwhelming but we all (including myself ) can begin with small gestures today. As my experiences here at Manhattanville comes to an end, and as I began my journey in the real world, I have worked hard for my achievements and will not allow any form of racial mockery to carry on. Do not call me “Shorty”, “baby girl”, or “ma”; address me as Latiaya Grooms, and address me with respect.