anti-prose. random matter.
change afoot for today.
Published on April 29, 2004 By crimson In Blogging
Summer session at my university always brings on a change in demographics. Gone are the pasty faces, replaced by a multitude of ethnicity. In the fall, minorities average (I'm guessing.) in at about 15% for general courses like Psychology, History, and English credits. Courses that draw a specific audience like Native Studies, Black Studies also allow for the majority to attend, and usually make up the most of the population as well. Simply put, even for specialized courses, minority numbers still can't compete with a predominantly white population overall.

During Summer Session, however, the numbers get mixed up a little. International students tend to stay for the session to acquire more credits to shorten their overall length in town. Locals have summer jobs lined up, so rarely attend this short session. The majority of students tend to go back home until Fall session. Looking around in the library, there is only one person not of-color here. Does it make a difference? Yes, for many political reasons. But, this gets overlooked, by sheer numbers of overrepresentation. Lost on the wayside.

Visually, however, it is an interesting statement to see the shoe on the other foot.

Comments
on Apr 29, 2004
I grew up in Utah, and while the populations of different ethnicity are increasing there it is still mostly white folks who form the majority.

Now I am in med school here at Duke in NC and in my class of 100 I am in the minority as a white male. It is great. A very refreshing experience.
on Apr 29, 2004
Kinda like visiting a country where you in the minority in many ways; race, culture, language etc...

It can be a very elightening experience.
on Apr 29, 2004
Oh yes. The two years I spent in Guatemala were marvelous. I learned so much from that experience for a number of reasons, and one of those was the opportunity to be immersed in a new culture.
on Apr 29, 2004
I think being exposed to a more variable environment only makes you a more well-rounded individual. I wish everyone thought like that.
on Apr 29, 2004
I think that psychx has the right idea.

Dev: Duke, huh? I'm impressed. That's my old stomping ground, actually. Raleigh/Durham, Goldsboro, Beaufort, Morehead City, Kinston, Newburn...I had some good times there.
on Apr 29, 2004
Very cool dharmagrl. We really love it here. Great area, great people.
on Apr 29, 2004
That's really cool Dev and dharma. I live close to there; in the Martinsville,VA area.