Forced to choose between being black or ________.

[ms_gwyn]

Originally posted by Reds6
First let me say, Christ comes first, regardless of color lines.
I find this interesting. I grew up in the burbs and lived in mainly white neighborhoods. I have been told I "talk white" all of my life! But with this I never felt that I needed to prove that I was "black enough" I have never viewed the decision that I have made or my successes as being a product of extreme exposure to the white community. I attribute who I am, what I have accomplished and my faith to my family. How I was raised. I was raised aware. I was raised that my surroundings at the time, was not the make-up of the world. Growing up in a predominately white area, only increased my desire to learn more about my culture and to gain the experience of being around my people, which is why I chose a Black College. I never felt that I had to choose nor did I feel obligated to go to a HBCU to prove my blackness, it was my desire. No one can define who I am nor my blackness. My blackness and my culture aren't choices its my life and who I am.

I didn't grow up in a predominately white neighborhood….I grew up mostly around Latinos and Asians, and spent a few years living in "the hood" (I hate that expression, but lack a better term). I have never felt the need to prove my blackness, but others seem to think so, those people don't even show up in my world…hence my statement on a "blackness" manual, I have never felt lacking in my culture. As for picking the college that I did, for my major it was one of the best universities in the west and I didn't want to venture to far from home and I also wanted the "full" college experience, that is what I didn't stay in CA and go to FIDM, Otis/Parsons (now just Otis) or Cal Arts. I agree that my blackness and my culture aren't choices and if they were choices…guess what I wouldn't change a damn thing about my life, but its part of my me, I will never be defined by the color of my skin…to me that is to inhibiting. I think we are staying the same thing just coming from two different angles and experiences.