Written by Regan Johnson, 2014-2015 CAHS Ambassador
The number one issue I face daily, as a black male, on the campus of Prairie View A&M University varies tremendously. However, the irony is that the pressure is “on” the campus of PVAMU and also outside the campus. Just being a black male scholar makes me vulnerable to pressures both on and off campus due to the stereotypes involved in the black man’s culture.
On campus, I constantly feel the pressure of those who have gone before me to make the academic path I’m traveling possible; professors, administrators and alumni. The pressure to succeed and to “step up” daily is as real as the school’s pride and as deep as its history. Experiencing that PVAMU does produce productive people adds onto the pressure of being expected to do great while in school as well as after.
Possibly the heaviest pressure I face is from family. I was raised by a single mom who at the age of 50 graduated last month with her Bachelor’s degree. Further, I have several relatives who began college but never completed their degree. These factors are a constant driving force and reminders for me to give my all and strive for success every time I take notes in class, study for a test or write a paper. Family can also be one of the biggest distractions. During my freshman year of college, my family went through a number of hard times which ultimately took away focus from my class work. Being part of the family means that when there is a problem, the problem is also brought to my attention because I am involved.
As a black male I am marked and stereotyped. Being a scholar is not supposed to be description. The hip-hop culture has a big impact on today’s society. It’s a driving factor in many of the choices our generation faces today. From the clothes we wear to how we act around women, to also the way we talk and carry ourselves reverts back to the hip hop culture and if you aren’t a part of this culture you are viewed as either lame or different. Society expects me to be either a rapper or an athlete not an academic scholar. My second semester of my freshman year I realized and understood that to become successful and achieve what I aim, I couldn’t abide by the expectations of my peers or society. I had to be different, think differently, act differently and most of all want differently.
From a personal view I could be the one to prevent my own self from reaching my true potential and ability. I am naturally a social person and look to always be part of whatever is going on, either on campus or with my friends. This also ties in to just overall college period and everything that comes with it. Truly wanting to experience what college has to offer me can become a huge distraction itself.
