"College will be the best four years of your life."
Some iteration of this cliché punctuated every pep talk I received the summer leading into my freshman year of college. In all of my 17-year-old small-town naivety, I was completely sold on the fantasy that college would unfold like some extended episode of The Real World where a diverse group of strangers would be picked to live together in a new city to share experiences, blend perspectives, and ultimately leave more informed and well-rounded than we began. I was not braced for the occasional racial slur that would casually slip from the drunken mouths of frat boys during game-day tailgates, or the flippant arrogance with which servers at the local restaurant where I hosted, would ask not to be seated with those customers. There was no preparation for the annual Halloween "black face" incidents, always followed by the obligatory formal apology and university sponsored Luda concert thrown in for good measure.
Photo: OnyxTruth.com
The mental agility required of black students navigating the daily microaggressions to which we were subjected at a PWI in the deep south was exhausting, but we pushed through it. We forged bonds, found our voices, and built allyships around it. Whether or not that "good ole' college days" cliché held true for us, we developed the coping mechanisms required to thrive despite the pervasive "isms."
Nearly two decades later, I would have hoped that this experience would sound like some exaggerated folklore for the freshman class of 2018. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. New instances of campus racism are cropping up every day. Last year the University of Missouri made headlines when students protested the administration's refusal to address mounting racial tensions and documented incidents of hate, prejudice, and systemic discrimination. Last month White Nationalist marched through the campus at the University of Virginia (UVA) bearing torches while yelling racist chants. This week, the Black Student Union at Cornell University declared a 'State of Emergency' after a black student was allegedly beaten brutally by a group of white students. And these are just the most extreme out of hundreds of cases of racial incidents across college campuses.
Photo: AP Photo/Jeff Roberson
Young millennials have moved the goal post far beyond merely managing and coping with racism, they are doing all that they can to dismantle the very systems that perpetuate it, but this ambitious and necessary work comes at a cost. In today's social and political climate, minority students, particularly those at PWI's, are under enormous amounts of pressure. In support of these young warriors, I called upon UVA alumni leader, post-Charlottesville campus organizer, and former student activist Quentin Washington to put together a self-care toolkit for today's campus activist. Here's what he had to offer:
Photo: Instagram/AvenueSwank
1. Get Information– In order to effect change, you have to be able to make a case for it. It's important to stay informed. Make a point of listening to a perspective outside of your own. Read reports and listen to media that doesn't necessarily cater to your point of view. Not only will this prepare you to combat arguments and opposition from those who want to derail your efforts, it will also expose you to information that legitimately broadens your understanding. Starting from an informed place goes a long way toward minimizing stress and anxiety when it comes time to present your case for change.
2. Remember why you came– Don't forget why you're in college. If the fight for justice consumes you, zaps all your energy, and distracts you from your ultimate goal of graduating, then racism wins. It will have successfully sabotaged the success of a black student. Go to class. Stay focused. Take a hiatus from leadership if you need one. Academic excellence is, itself, a form of resistance.
3. Establish a cut-off time– For activists, organizers and campus leaders who dedicate a significant amount of time to the work of social justice, it's easy to find yourself working and organizing around the clock. Know when to quit. Hold yourself accountable. Hold your team accountable. If you’re up late organizing, find an accountability partner to make sure you both get to your morning classes.
4. Unplug– Today's students are more connected than ever. With so many means of communication, it's nearly impossible to unplug. Make it happen! Schedule Hulu hours and Netflix time. Ban cell phones or create a "no scroll" zone at your next kickback. You have to disengage from time to time.
5. Just say no– If you see people overly committed or getting overwhelmed, step in. If you're the one who's taking on too much, delegate. When your plate is full, don't be afraid to say no.
6. Vent– You're not in this alone. Lean on your mentors. Talk to your fellow students. Lots of campuses offer free counseling services, take advantage. Sound mental health is a priority.
7. Rest– The irony of being "woke" is the fatigue that often accompanies it. The consequence for consciousness is real. Set aside dedicated time to rest. Count your blessings and focus on all the good in your life.
8. What you're doing matters. Know that.- Culture is constantly shifting but never without the persistent nudge of courageous individuals who are bold enough to challenge the existing state of things. From the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which played a major role in coordinating the sit-ins, voter registration drives, and freedom rides that ushered in the Civil Rights Movement, to the 1985 protest by students at Columbia University that pushed the school to divest investments in South Africa, some of the most significant societal shifts in history began as campus movements.
Change happens slowly, but understand that whether you're advocating, marching, mentoring or using your art, progress is being made.
