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.
Precious,
ReplyDeleteThank-you so much for your comment. Its true, I focused on the political and economic contexts of black studies while ignoring the richness that has resided in the black community for centuries. That futher solidifies my contention, that I still have so much to learn in my education. Ironically my initial interest in the black community, was through black female literature. From Toni Morrison's 'Beloved', to Alice Walker's 'Color Purple' and 'possessing the Secret of Joy' I developed such an appreciation and love for the solidarity, courage, and pride inherent in the voices of these writers. Women had never been stronger to me, than in these books. Through the Black Studies discipline, I further developed a strong admiration for other black women, like Alice Walker and Elaine Brown.
I loved your post, you seem so connected to the depth of your culture, and owning that, and I'm jealous. I remember a poem you performed in english 103B, and it was so moving. I think we've been in a couple classes since then. I also loved Banks' class, and realized how politicized the black female body is. What do you feel is the most important battle for black women? And how should we approach these issues? What are you planning to do after you graduate?
When I first came to UCSB I too had the misconception that Black studies was an easy major and that others would naturally expect me to major in, So I set out to major in Anthropology which was out of the norm and many people still to this day have misconceptions of the major, however it has molded me into a more socially conscious human being, a better prepared person to tackle on the many imbalances in society. However I found myself limited with my Anthropology major as it was simply giving me the techniques, methods and tools to do ethnographic research and not fully connect with the people of my studies, so I began looking into Black studies and I found the connection and resources I needed within the major. I strongly believe that these misconceptions that Black studies is an easy major and that only African American students major in it needs to be addressed and bought down to clearly see Black studies in its proper context for what is has to offer students as well as society.
ReplyDeletePrecious,
ReplyDeleteI think it interesting that you mention that “others would expect you to be a black studies major,” since it seems like such a narrow way for someone to look at the major. But it is the reality of society, because there is a multitude of people who are still trying to discover the purpose of this major. I believe there is so many of these people who question Black Studies as a major, who surrounds us so we inherit a negative outlook on the major itself. But I love how you hint on the fact that unlike some majors, Black Studies has changed you. That is the importance of Black Studies to me, it strives to demonstrate the hidden narrative of the black experience and this may involve exposing the flaws in our own society. Whenever anyone tries to question why I am a Black Studies major, I simply share with them that we do not receive an accuracy representation of the black experience in U.S. history alone. And I stress that they should take a class in Black Studies, since it is truly a “life-changing” major.
Precious I appreciate your post on so many levels. First off I would like to acknowledge that many outsiders look down upon our major because they are unfamiliar with it and feel that it is easy. After taking many courses within the department, I know they are far from easy. They are challenging and require us to think critically as scholars about the issues faced within everyday life. Therefore I am a proud to be a graduating black studies major as well!
ReplyDeleteNow in regards to Professor Banks class, I learned so much about the black female body. While I am not a black female I still think that for change to occur it is important to be conscious about the way we treat, privilege,and value peoples bodies. I read Killing the Black Body two times over the ten weeks because I felt that it provided strong evidence and awareness about the policies that disproportionally affect black women.