Finding my place within Yale's African-American Community

By Kim Jones

Last summer, as a young African-American on her way to one of the best universities in the world, my family and friends constantly told me how blessed I was to have this opportunity and that most people my age, regardless of race,would never have the opportunities that were awaiting me at Yale. Most importantly, I was told to make the most of this experience because it would only come once.

Well, with all the excitement built up by my family and friends, I wasn't exactly sure what to make of this "wonderful opportunity" or my "Yale experience." Naturally, I was honored and proud to be accepted by Yale. Also, after graduating from a predominantly white, Catholic high school, I was excited to join the African-American community and immerse myself in my culture at Yale. But I also felt weighed down by the high hopes and expectations of my parents, my peers, and myself.

As one of only a few students from New Haven, I found support from my nearby family and the familiar surroundings. However, this familiarity did not prevent me from suffering the same pressures that many other African-American students feel during their first year of college. Soon, my excitement turned to anxiety, as I felt a great pressure to make an appearanceat the many events affiliated with the Afro-American Cultural Center, a.k.a. the House. I felt obliged to make an appearance at every party and to participate in the Black Student Alliance at Yale (BSAY), as well as many other minority organizations on campus.

About one month into the semester, I realized that in order for me to succeed both academically and personally I had to decide what was important to me and pursue those areas of interest. While I definitely sought out the Black community on campus, I also found it necessary to become acquainted with other kinds of people. I was the only African-American in my entryway last year.

While I found it difficult to adjust to at first, I was able to meet an interesting group of people with a diverse set of cultures and ideas. (When was the last time you shared a dorm with someone from Taiwan, Turkey, or Greece?) The most important advice I can give to any freshman is to decide what is best for you. For some, that will mean surrounding yourself with those students who are most like you. For others, it will mean getting to know people from all different backgrounds. Either way, you must do what will make you happy.

Graphics by Carlos Mena. Back to the Freshman Issue...