Change Starts Here

As a new school year starts, we need to be mindful of why we are in college and what it took to get us here.

Years ago, no one established a school and decided to let black people enroll immediately. People fought and died so we could get something most of them had been denied—a good education.

Even though we have come far, women have had a hard time gaining respect; especially black women. Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled over Egypt without a man, has been overshadowed by video vixens and “Flavor of Love” girls.

Instead of working against those images and showing the world that we can do more than just shake our assets and fight for a man we barely know, we’d rather skate through college and graduate with a mediocre resume.

Because of what we’ve been through and how many people have risked everything to get us here, nothing irritates me more than a black woman in college who acts like she doesn’t want to be there.

I can’t count how many times I’ve heard someone say they are failing a class, but they’re on their way to a club and not the library. Or how may times I’ve heard someone express huge dreams, but they are doing nothing to make them a reality.

This year, we need remember why we are in college. We need to do what’s necessary to make our dreams a reality. We need to remember those women before us who suffered horrible treatment every day, so we could have the opportunity to obtain the same collegiate education as every one else.

Most of all, we need to remember the millions of women who want an education, but have never had one and, sadly, never will.

Don’t lose sight of something people knew so long ago: education is the key.