I came into college as a Psychology major. All I knew is that I wanted to counsel people so Psychology seemed like the best road to take to get there. Before entering college I can vividly remember telling myself I would not major in Black Studies because everyone would expect me to do this--to find an "easy" way through college. Its sad but these were my thoughts just a few years back. A proud black studies major since the end of my 1st year, Black Studies has transformed my thinking. It is a major that has done what I think many majors don't have the ability to do: it has changed me from the inside out. From better understanding the creation of "ghettos" through courses like Black Studies 127: The Urban Dilemma with Professor Clyde Woods and The Social-Context of the Black experience with Professor Chris McAuley, I have come to better understand where I was born and raised...South central Los Angeles. In intro level course like Black Studies I quickly realized that African American culture is so rich and complex and in the journey of learning this history it is anything BUT easy. Before Black Studies 3, Intro to African Studies, I didn't know that coffee and sugar came from Africa. In Black Studies: The Politics of the Black female body with professor Banks, I began to understand that my body is a site of political discussion, from skin color to my hair and the importance of knowing that throughout history Black women have been stripped of the right they have to autonomy over their own bodies. This class made me look at myself twice in the mirror. I was just in the middle stage of locking my hair, and now I truly understood that this "hairstyle" said more about me than I thought.
No, Black Studies has not been easy at all, yet it has been the most enlightening, fulfilling experiences of my life. When people ask me why I became a black studies major I let them know right away that it only took one class to make me realize the lack of knowledge I have had about my history.... and then I started changing, evolving, I knew I was in a major that would have me leave this university as a better and more intelligent human being than when came in. I don't know too many other majors that can help you better realize the beauty that resides in you and your culture. Best experience of my life. I'm changed woman and I can say that this major has contributed greatly to who I am, and who I am striving to be.
Easy? not at all...Life changing? every step of the way.
