'Black table' article controversy answered
Alexandra Bell
Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: Opinion
In 2007, The Colonnade published an article by a student called "Why is there always a 'black table' at Sodexho?" As a black student at GCSU I did not feel insulted by what the author was saying. Yes, there are tables in Sodexo, and at certain times of the day, like at lunch there are black students sitting at them. What did insult me was her poorly written argument that racism and discrimination has been committed by all races in all racial groups by targeting the black students at GCSU.
In her efforts to question equality among students here she offended a lot of people and her message did not come across as a positive one. Her article questioned my perception of what white students think of minorities on this campus. Where the "black table" came in to support her topic was not taken lightly and upset a lot of blacks. Instead of focusing on equality, the real problem concerns inequality in people's actions and the stereotypes people have. The minority must explain themselves to the majority in correcting views that seem hesitant to a more diverse and broad culture on GCSU's campus.
I am one of the blacks that sits at the "black table." I also sit at tables at Chick-fil-A by myself or at a table in Einstein's with my roommate, who just so happens to be white.
Why does this matter? From an outside look, many may think that we sometimes isolate ourselves, specifically the majority. But that is a misconception. Blacks sit with one another in Sodexo just like the fraternity boys or roommates who live together sit at a table together. They all have something in common.
Just for the simple fact that I am black does not fully explain why I choose to befriend other blacks. The company I keep is based on the commonalities we share, whether it is my taste of music, or my personality versus their temperament. We share the same culture.
I sit at the "black table" in Sodexho, because I feel more comfortable and normal and do not concern myself with watching what I say. I do not have to stand on egg shells because someone might take words out of context. We share a culture between one another because we are black and were brought up in a society with many similarities. We do not represent our race at the table, we represent our individuality. Everywhere else outside of our table, or when we are not together, we represent our individuality, but taking into consideration our ethnic make-up.
In her efforts to question equality among students here she offended a lot of people and her message did not come across as a positive one. Her article questioned my perception of what white students think of minorities on this campus. Where the "black table" came in to support her topic was not taken lightly and upset a lot of blacks. Instead of focusing on equality, the real problem concerns inequality in people's actions and the stereotypes people have. The minority must explain themselves to the majority in correcting views that seem hesitant to a more diverse and broad culture on GCSU's campus.
I am one of the blacks that sits at the "black table." I also sit at tables at Chick-fil-A by myself or at a table in Einstein's with my roommate, who just so happens to be white.
Why does this matter? From an outside look, many may think that we sometimes isolate ourselves, specifically the majority. But that is a misconception. Blacks sit with one another in Sodexo just like the fraternity boys or roommates who live together sit at a table together. They all have something in common.
Just for the simple fact that I am black does not fully explain why I choose to befriend other blacks. The company I keep is based on the commonalities we share, whether it is my taste of music, or my personality versus their temperament. We share the same culture.
I sit at the "black table" in Sodexho, because I feel more comfortable and normal and do not concern myself with watching what I say. I do not have to stand on egg shells because someone might take words out of context. We share a culture between one another because we are black and were brought up in a society with many similarities. We do not represent our race at the table, we represent our individuality. Everywhere else outside of our table, or when we are not together, we represent our individuality, but taking into consideration our ethnic make-up.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Girl for all Races
posted 3/05/10 @ 9:02 PM EST
Dear Ms. Bell,
You made it sound like she wrote something atrocious like black people should never be allowed to sit together. To be better informed, I read the article you were referring to. (Continued…)
marcusgreen24
GCSUFighter
posted 4/07/10 @ 11:25 AM EST
I was here when the original article was written, and the reason the black students were offended was because the writer never asked our opinion. Nor did she address the other groups of students that sit together in the cafeteria, like Fraternity and Sorority students, Athletes, Science Majors. (Continued…)
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