Being a Black boy at UPrep

As a Black student in a predominantly white institution, I’ve always felt that I have to work harder to feel comfortable and be accepted among my peers because of how different I am. There is a big difference in culture and it is only natural for people to be around people like them. Although there are some diverse friend groups, most are made up of people of the same race/background. Most people of color convene in the Diversity Office because that is where people like them stay. I’ve noticed that other racial groups stay clear of the Diversity Office for that reason and often I hear them say “are we even allowed to go in there?”

I feel like being one of the few black people in my grade and microaggressions come as a package deal. Here and there I am called by the wrong name, mistaken for someone else, or thought of as someone else’s sibling. I also feel like a lot of people code-switch around me and act differently than if they were to talk to anyone else that isn’t Black. To their white friends, they may say something like “Hey, what’s up,” but with me, it’s more of an “Aye, what’s good gang” with an elaborate handshake. Additionally, I feel like people of color are more susceptible to getting in trouble more often and receiving more severe punishments for the same actions because of negative stereotypes that float around.