In order to fully understand what it is to be an African American, who attends school in a place such as Houghton, Michigan

I invite you to come and take a walk with me,

to feel what I’m going through, and see what I see,

you need to come and take a walk with me.

Some people would paint a picture of Michigan Tech as being a wonderful place where all is right in the world, where the deer and chipmunks frolic in the wilderness, while eager young students scurry about pursuing dreams of higher education. This Norman Rockwell vision of MTU is true however; it totally disregards the darker side of Michigan Tech. The side that I involuntarily experience everyday, yet continually remains unchecked. This is the attitudinal facet which no one wishes to speak about; this darker side being

racism both hidden and blatant,
as well as the stereotypes that narrow-minded men would place on me.