While studying for social statistics one night with my classmate Tyson, I ask if I can interview him. He agrees as long as it does not take to long.
Rene: Have you been to any of the Brown v. Board of Education events this year.
Tyson: No, I haven’t. What is it? Wasn’t it a case a long time ago? I think I heard about it in my Political Science class.
Rene: (I briefly explain) If you heard about the events would you attend?
Tyson: No.
Rene: Why not?
Tyson: I don’t know. It is interesting to know, but not interesting to me. [Common theme of people thinking that it does not pertain to them if they are white.]
Rene: Do you think the goals of Brown have been accomplished?
Tyson: Yeah, from what I have seen.
Rene: How do you think different ethnicities interact on our campus?
Tyson: Good. There are clubs, shows, and presentations about different races.
R: Do you things are equal today?
T: (Long pause) No because race is still an issue with some people. I know people who are racist. Until everyone views everyone equally it will be difficult to achieve goals.
R: How do you think things could be changed?
T: By more and more interactions, through a social atmosphere like hanging out, playing sports. Many people do not know why people in a culture do what they do.
R: What do you think of Affirmative Action?
T: (long pause) I approve of it because minorities need help to get back on their feet and get back into the swing of things since they are viewed as lesser by some.
R: What do you think of Nancy Cantor’s initiating this commemoration of the Brown decision?
T: I think it is a good idea.
R: How far reaching do you think it has been and what is a rough estimate of the percent of students involved?
T: I don’t think it is very far reaching. We have come leaps and bounds but we have a long way to come. I think about 32% of students are involved.
December 8, 2003
Oliver lives on the floor above mine in Pennsylvania Avenue Residence
He is Taiwanese and German
Oliver: No. I have never heard of them before.
R: [Interesting. Many people have told that they were not aware and ask how I find out about all of these interesting events. There has been a poster about the Brown events all year on the bulletin board on our floor all. Apparently people do not read the signs up all over the dorms] If you did hear about them, would you attend?
O: Probably not because I am not interested in the subject and not informed about what is happening.
R: What do you know about the Brown v. Board decision?
O: That is allowed black people to go to college and they have been allowed. The goal has not been fulfilled because black people are still a minority. It is hard to accomplish change. The main thing is it takes a lot of time, resources, and educational sources. It needs to begin earlier because if raised in a…[pause] less wealthy household, they are more likely to do drugs, drop out, get pregnant. We need to get them off the streets and into classrooms.
[He speaks slowly and is trying to be politically correct. I have heard him speak on other occasions in offensive language. The presence of the tape recorder and the fact that I am taking notes makes him cautious of what he is saying.]
O: We need after school programs, so they can get special attention.
R: How do you think the different ethnicities get along on campus?
O: Pretty well.
R: What do you think of Affirmative Action?
O: I think they should get rid of it. There would be less minorities but it would cancel out if we strengthened minorities at a younger age. We would reach a point where every race is equally intelligent. Or I should say equally well educated.
R: What do you think of the fact that there is a commemoration of Brown v. Board?
O: I am all for it. They are free to commemorate whatever they choose to.
[I was surprised at his views considering he is a minority.]