Project Advisor(s) (Students Only)
Paul Olsen
Presentation Type (All Applicants)
Oral Presentation
Disciplines (All Applicants)
Arts and Humanities
Description, Abstract, or Artist's Statement
Several years ago I asked an Augustana student whom I knew very well to describe his college experience. He was an excellent student, a respected athlete elected captain of the track team, a 3-time All-American and conference champion in track, and he was also a starter on the winning basketball team. He is also African American. His answer: “it was often uncomfortable.” This from a student who experienced LOTS of success!
My words today are partially motivated by his response. They are also driven by the increased racial unrest that has characterized our country the last few years and by learning and teaching the literature that writers call the “Black Experience in America.”
First I would like to take you way back to an earlier time in my own life when I began to find my way on a journey that could be the journey of many of us.
Augustana Digital Commons Citation
Olsen, Paul. "Racial stereotypes: history and consequences" (2017). Celebration of Learning.
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/celebrationoflearning/2017/presentations/4
Racial stereotypes: history and consequences
Several years ago I asked an Augustana student whom I knew very well to describe his college experience. He was an excellent student, a respected athlete elected captain of the track team, a 3-time All-American and conference champion in track, and he was also a starter on the winning basketball team. He is also African American. His answer: “it was often uncomfortable.” This from a student who experienced LOTS of success!
My words today are partially motivated by his response. They are also driven by the increased racial unrest that has characterized our country the last few years and by learning and teaching the literature that writers call the “Black Experience in America.”
First I would like to take you way back to an earlier time in my own life when I began to find my way on a journey that could be the journey of many of us.