Representing Black culture in Garden City

I see some things right off the bat, cap and punctuation errors i need to fix, but here is the first draft. Let me know what you guys think and if there are some huge errors in style or grammar that you see. I'm still gonna punch up some things but here is what i have thus far. Oh, and i need some good title ideas for this story

“Alone, all alone, nobody, but nobody can make it out here alone”. These powerful words were made famous by African American writer and poet Maya Angelou. These words offer a question, what is it like to live in a community that lacks people of your background or culture. What is it really like to be black in Garden City?

Garden City Community College is quite diverse and has many people of different cultures. You might find yourself talking with a student from a small town like Leoti, Kansas or chatting with students representing the east coast from places like Philadelphia or New Jersey. You might even find yourself meeting students that have come here from another country like Mexico or Brazil. Those differences in backgrounds and culture add to the excitement for many college students and helps the world seem a bit smaller. These differences also can cause quite a culture shock. I’ve heard students say they miss tall building of the big city; they miss the shopping malls of suburban America and some long to see beaches and trees of a less desolate landscape. For some students what they miss the most is see more people like them, “When I came out here, I was like, where are all the Black people at?” said one student. The college might be diverse but that’s not a refection of the western Kansas landscape we live in. The almost non existing black community in Garden City leave some students a bit home sick. According to the United States Census Bureau in 2000, there is a less than 2% Black population in Garden City. “Everyone around here is Friendly”, Said Freshmen, Damon Evens, a young African American student from Florida. “There are a lot of people out here that help us out.”

The campus has an organization that helps welcome black students. The Black Student Union, or BSU, has been a organization for five years and offers a support system to Black students, but is open to any student who wants to become a member. I asked Lesa Gilbert, Admissions Representative and sponsor for the BSU, how they get new

members. “At the beginning of the fall semester we host a picnic and an ice cream social.” This helps new African American student get to know more about the school and other black students. When the BSU meets they discuss what there mission is all about, future events, and to see if there is anything new freshmen members would like to discuss. Gilbert shared with me the many success stories of former BSU member in the recent years. Many members of BSU have gone on to get Bachelors and Masters degrees, “One young man graduated and started his own business and is doing quite well.” “The perception that African-American students that are here on sports scholarships, are just athletes… is just not true.”

When asked if having a course like African American studies would be a good thing for this community college Gilbert said, “That would be great, as an educational institution we should try to educate every student about every culture, that is what we are all about.” When I asked Kevin Brungardt, Dean of Academics, the same question he said, “There are many considerations that go into the curriculum decisions we make. For instance, is there need? If there is ever a need for African American studies, I'm sure we would look into offering it.” Is there a need for people of a western Kansas community college to learn about black culture? Many students expressed the need for more classes that bring more education about African-American culture.

“There are a lot of things that black people have done, and know one knows about it.” Said Wayne Daise-Burgess, sophomore who is also a BSU member. Damon Even added, “Black history month is a good thing but black culture does not stop on March 1st. Many

Students are interested in the idea of a course like this, but some are still a bit skeptical about how many people would really be interested. “I don't see a whole lot of white people wanting to take that class,” Said Whitnie Young, sophomore basketball player and member of BSU. It’s still not clear if this course would be well received at this school, but the question needs to be asked. For many young students this would be a great opportunity to learn about a culture they have little exposure to. One thing is for sure, there are people on campus that think it would be beneficial to their education. “The College is really good at listing to the community and what they want in the college”, said Patricia McIntyre, member of the African American Coalition of Garden City. This organization that has been around for about four years and also works with the BSU in getting new students acclimated to the Garden City Community.


Patricia McIntyre continued to express how important it is to help educate people about the differences and similarities between the two cultures. “We are part of this Community,” She adds. When asked if she thinks the Majority of people in Garden City have a positive view of black culture she replied, “No…not at all, but it’s not their fault, they have not been exposed to it. I still get people saying to me, I like you Pat, I just don't like the rest of them [black people].” She continued by saying, “Getting to talk to people is the only way to dispel these negative stereotypes.” Wouldn’t a class about African American culture play a role in starting dialog between white and black students? This would be a great place to dispel and talk about stereotypes and how much truth is behind each one. There are very few public forums, like a classroom setting where people can let there guard down and open themselves to some new idea. Just like how a Philosophy class is paramount to young students in learning about things that religion might not have the answer for. We have a large religious community and not very many people open minded to other beliefs held by Philosophers like Nietzsche, Kant and Buddha, but it’s still taught. Actually Philosophy ends up being one the classes people like the most because it opens their minds to different ideas, much like a class about African American history and black culture would.

Most of the students I talked to had a good overall view of Garden City and the people that inhabit our working class community. The fact of the matter is still apparent, the underpinning of racist views and bigotry are still present, even if it’s not smacking you in the face as you walk to your classes. “There is still some Racism around here, I know because I hear it from the students, and it’s surprising to me.” Said Gilbert. “I had students about three weeks ago approach me about starting a negative…you know, type group, I didn't know what to say back to him. I finally told him if he wanted that sort of organization to go talk to the SGA.”

When hearing about a group of students on campus actively looking to start this type of club, people were not surprised. “I know a lot of white people that were rasied to hate black people,” said one student that wished to remain anonymous. Most of the African-American students I talked to were not even against the idea of this type of group on campus. “Opinions never hurt anyone.” Said Wayne Daise-Burgess. “I don't care, as

long as they don't exclude who can join, maybe it’s good to get some of those things aired out so they can be discussed; they might learn that they have the wrong opinion.”

Even with this touchy subject matter making it around the campus rumor mills, most Black students stay positive and look at all the great things they get from fellow students and faculty. “I love it here,” said Young, The teachers and faculty are great. You can tell they really care about us.” It seems many faculty members have connected with the African-American students, “Barb Larson is really down to earth and does whatever she can to make me a better student and a person,” Said Anthony Chalmers, 19 year old freshmen. “I think what Miss Lesa does with the Black Student Union; especially this being a predominantly non black college, to make us as African Americans feel involved… is great.”

Overall the African-American community at the collage is positive about going to a school with people of many different beliefs and diverse backgrounds. It’s good to get this kind of exposure for everyone, Black, White, Hispanic, Asian or whatever culture you might be. It gives these students the possibility of dispelling some of the stereotype they have about other cultures in the process, Garden City can be a great place for many people to live. I finished by asking Whitney Young if she would ever conceder moving here to live after college, and she said, “Um…I might come back here after I'm old and I retired.” Until then she will play basketball, continue with the BSU and mentor new

African American students to the college. She plans to make her education her number one priority and test the college motto. “After here you can go anywhere.”
For more info on the Black Student Union please e-mail Lesa Gilbert lesa.gilbert@gcccks.edu
For more info on the African American Coalition please contact Patricia McIntyre E-mail pmcintyre@cox.net or call 620-276-2810