African American Student Awareness Essay

African American students often faced several different obstacles that alter or sometimes deter their goals of continuing their college career and leading them to graduate. Between both readings, they explain how African Americans are portrayed as less than, which is one reason they do poorly in school settings. Steele calls this; stereotype threat. “Stereotype threat---- the threat of being viewed through the lens of a negative stereotype, or the fear of doing something that would inadvertently confirm that stereotype” (Steele, 46). This is a major obstacle when it pertains to the African American students education. Also, Steele addresses academic identity as another obstacle. Looking at the teachers who work in most schools, there is one common thread, they are not African Americans. Having teachers who look like you, is a plus to your education. But majority of African American students do not have that access. …show more content…
This training would be mandatory for all. It will give people the opportunity to have a basic understanding for others opinions and contributions. I think campus wide rap sessions where students and faculty can come and discuss student issues that they feel like are not being resolved or just issues in general. Since there is a trend that African American students are invisible in the classroom, create group sessions where their stories are able to be told. Also, more mentors and mentee programs should be established to help assist young students of color the opportunities to succeed in college. With that, there can be campus involvement programs with organizations. Like our campus we have; SAAB, 4AW, BSU, LSU, T.A.W.L, Brothers on the Rise. These programs are helping create an environment for our voices to be heard and understood. A big thing needs to be administrators who are minority, and who can help relate to these college