Minority students are being mistaken for each other because of their skin color. This is not okay.
Students have taken to social media to express their frustrations with other students and, especially, professors who call them by another student’s name.
Students might laugh it off, but it’s no laughing matter. Things like this make students feel like they’re not really seen and make it obvious that some professors group students together because of their skin color. While it’s more obviously happening with black students, other minorities face this issue on campus too, especially when it comes to production castings.
Students of color should get the same opportunities as white students. They shouldn’t be minimized to playing characters who are black, Asian or Hispanic. There is no rule saying traditionally white characters can’t be portrayed as people of color. Everyone deserves the opportunity to play a variety of roles without being stuck in a cycle of caricatures that stereotype their race.
OCU is known for being a small campus where students know their professors on a deeper level than at public universities. Our professors’ attitudes need to reflect that as well. Professors should know their students in a more meaningful way than just being their instructors. The only reason people are getting called the wrong name is because some professors are not taking the time to talk to and get to know their minority students.
The student to faculty ratio on campus is 11-to-1, according to okcu.edu. Not to mention the fact that about 60 percent of the students are white, according to Dr. Kelly Williams, director for institutional research. There is no excuse for professors to mistake their five students of color for one another.
Most mistakes don’t typically come from a place of malice, but they make people seem ignorant. Take extra time to learn about students and peers. If you don’t know their name, don’t guess—ask and get to know them.
If you get called the wrong name, tell the person. Inform him or her that they are thinking of someone else. Be patient and educate people. Don’t make them feel bad for making a mistake.
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