[393] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Self-Segration on Campus
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Zhelinrentice L Scott)
Tue May 1 03:54:22 2001
Message-Id: <200105010753.DAA12284@department-of-alchemy.mit.edu>
To: mit-talk@MIT.EDU
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 03:53:48 -0400
From: Zhelinrentice L Scott <zlscott@MIT.EDU>
First, Zhe, you've expressed a lot of stereotypes that are just that:
stereotypes. People often choose to live where they are comfortable. It
happens here, and it happens anytime you let people choose where they live.
Look at Boston and Cambridge. There are Italian areas, Black areas, etc. That
being said, I don't see it as a problem. It's on you to get to know people of
other races and cultures, and it's not MIT's responsibility to make you do so.
If you don't do it, it's your loss, though it could be seen as a loss to the
community as a whole because we end up with people coming in ignorant (lacking
knowledge) and leaving the same way.
--->I completely agree with you Aisha. I think it is a shame that many
students come here and never get to know a black person, a person from
australia, or Ghana for that matter. I have been extremely blessed to have met
people from ALL over the globe.
--->When I came to MIT I joined United Christian Fellowship because I was
looking for a diverse fellowship that was completely welcoming. However,
I was very disappointed when I heard one of the girls going on and on
about how minorities at MIT don't belong here b/c some "bar has been lowered."
I thought it was hypocritical of her to be okay with worshipping and
praying with me but when it came to MIT I and others like me weren't.
Anyhow I digress....
I chose the place where I live b/c it's where I'm comfortable. I like living
in the CC suburbs. As a matter of fact, I'm proud of it. We are social,
sometimes we're loud, and that's how I like it. I get into CC parties free,
and I'm in the center of all the action. I live with people who have similar
interests to me, many of which are based on our culture, but most of which are
not. I have 2 house tutors who I know can identify with me on issues of
racism and other things I face as a black woman. And b/c they have experienced
what I am going through, they are more likely to know who I should approach to
deal with particular issues. They don't just sympathize, they empathize, and
so do my housemates.
--->Aisha, that's true. I enjoyed the CC parties when I was young and single.
Now I am just young. :) Next year I am getting married. :)
It's a common misbelief that the people who live in House 2 or CC or Next
House or any place house that is viewed as "segregated" are all of one race
and one common mind.
-->There is also a misbelief that WOMEN live in Chocolate City which
is an ALL MALE living group. Don't forget that one Aisha.
Life at MIT is what you make of it. If you feel you have to live in a house
that may be a hostile environment to meet people of different races and
cultures, you do that, but I prefer to have the choice to live where I want,
and I'll go out and meet other kinds of people (which includes other kinds of
Black people) on my own.
--->You have raised some interesting points. That makes me think of another
question: IF you could meet anytype of person at MIT what country,
state, or city would they be from? What can we do to make MIT a place
where people can get to know more than just folks in their living groups?
Our job and responsibility is to "be."
What you do is proof of who you are; manifestation is realization.
People have a right to think whatever they choose to think.
Just because they think it does not make it right.
--Iyanla Vanzant
---->I like your email signature.
