University of Virginia Library

University Community's Efforts Fail
To Relieve Black Cultural Needs

By SHEILA CRIDER

(Sheila A. Crider is a
second-year College student
and resident assistant in the
first-year program. She is a
member of the Black Student
Alliance–Ed.)

In the past few years the
University of Virginia has
actually recruited black
students but it has done
practically nothing to insure
these students more than an
academic learning atmosphere.

Commentary

Black students at any
predominately white college or
university are at a cultural
disadvantage, but at the
University this disadvantage
seems a little more
pronounced.

As black people, we enjoy
different backgrounds,
different entertainment, in
fact, an all together different
life from whites. But here we
are not allowed to grow and
expand within this existence.

There is a mass
brainwashing and assimilation
taking place Many former
black people leave the
University with capitalistic and
middle class ideas obtained in
this deteriorating Southern
white culture We are lost in a
dream.

In February of each year
Black Culture Week is held. Is
this saying that for one wee
we may live in our existence?

For me, this is not enough. I
want to be able to walk around
the University and see things
that are a part of my culture,
of my life, of me!

In order for black students
to feel we are receiving the
education we are paying for,
the University must make an
increased effort to involve its
black population in
black-oriented programs. They
must recruit Afro-American
entertainment as well as more
black studies and professors.
We want things that answer our
needs.

The University is a greatly
acclaimed academic center. Is it
too much to have a culture that
reflects the backgrounds of all
the students attending the
University?