The Black Ivy

There are some days when I look around at the other members of my race and have to say, "The fuck is you doin?"

When in need of good music you can't turn on the radio anymore. My genuine belief is that whoever created Pandora was forced to sit and listen to Charlamagne in the morning for more than five minutes during their daily commute. What happened to music with substance? Idols with substance? Walking a block in the city is close to impossible without hearing a crack head reference (this is actually no different from a year ago but now the butts of the jokes aren't limited to crazy white females..Soulja Boy, Cudi, what?)

Ask the majority of African American females what their ideal partner is like, but don't expect more than two words (Trey Songz). This isn't an attempt to throw shade at the musically inclined or physically gifted either, but, what about the Cory Booker's of the world? Does anyone else desire an educated man? Give Nicki Minaj's dick a break for a moment, and think about the Carol Moselely Braun's out there, pushing for a better tomorrow.
Does anyone remember 2008? We were all fueled by the Obama excitement, talking politics and ambitions? Do you remember how for a week everyone wanted a Barack or a Michelle in their lives? Now it's 2010 and it seems that some of us have forgotten what reading the newspaper feels like (this applies to me too, holding the newspaper requires a little bit more energy than what I would like to give). It sucks but, it seems like we don't value or desire educated and motivated idols as much as we should.

A lot of African Americans in the immediate spotlight these days portray us to be just as ignorant and "promisedlandless" as we were before offered education and opportunity. It sucks, but there's hope in the different breed out there; The educated African American.

Some of us thirst for success while others are thirsting to get rich quick by any means necessary. I've done it. You might contemplate selling, stealing, and doing anything possible to appear successful in the eyes of your peers. It sucks. I forgot (maybe you forgot too) that there's a route that promises success if you promise it your all. This route is called education.

Education isn't necessarily obtained in a classroom. One could learn more in a day by interning than by sitting at a desk and "learning" about Neuroscience. At least that's the go to argument against paying for education, but how does one get the internship? Cliche' though it might sound, an education is the key to a building with many, many open doors. Get yours.

The Black Ivy from Street Etiquette on Vimeo.

As of 2010 there are 105 historically black colleges and universities. While none of the top ranked colleges and universities in the United States are historically black,
could you learn more as a person at an HBCU? If you've never attended an all black college than you probably will never understand the feeling that is to be described within these next two paragraphs. Actually you probably won't understand at all. You have no chance at understanding. You'll say, "That's not the real world." True, but I've been to the "real" world, and I prefer the reality that HBCU's offer.

Despite the chaos of the financial process, despite the weaves and hair extensions that are sure to be in every bathroom sink, and despite the list of complaints that I was able to come up with during my freshmen year..I've never felt more at home than when surrounded by 2,400 other African American strangers.

Rushing to class at 7:57 am and looking over your shoulder to see another five or so black students doing the same exact thing is empowering. Why? It's nice to know that other people run on CP time. No, but really, there's something about knowing that we've all made the decision to be in the same place, surrounded by faces like ours, that I might never be able to explain. Fried Chicken Wednesdays, Step shows, Black teachers (but let's not forget the occasional language challenged Immigrant teacher), the yard, running into folks that you knew from your Jack & Jill days. Black faces pursuing a better life by means of an education, every which way that you turn. There is nothing like it.

HBCU's were established in the face of segregation and blah blah blah but over time they've turned into something more than the second choice for the genius boy who couldn't go to an Ivy league school because of his race. Everyone chooses the HBCU for a different reason. I chose it for a change of scenery, my sister chose Spelman because she too wanted a change of scenery (along with a chance at sisterhood other than ours). Some have never known an education without black faces, and other's have never known an education with black faces.

But that's the beauty of it all! Educated black faces holding themselves to a higher standard.

"Pledging to learn for eternity, never allowing negativity to define me. Session one, year one, classic beginnings with Black Ivy."

Now, you watch that video up there. Who do you want to be? Where do you want to learn to be that person?