VictoriousManic

For an international student like me who
has attended an international school in Korea
for 6 years, the biggest worry is racism at college,
and i heard UVA is totally a white community.
I hope it's not as serious as i'm thinking and
made a good decision to attend UVA as one of Class of 2012.
How is the issue at UVa?

MechWahoo

See other threads. I think this has been discussed more than enough.

HartinGA

That is ridiculous. See these links.

U.Va. Named to List of "50 Top Colleges for African Americans"

U.Va. Remains 'Leader by Far' Among Nation's Publics in Graduating Black Students

Venado

For a more realistic viewpoint about racism at UVA see:
Slurs at U-Va. Undermine Efforts to Thwart Racism

sudstar

I just would like to say one thing. There is racism everywhere. It's not limited to one area or one school. As long as there are people who have the unfortunate, sad idea that they are superior to others of a different race, then you will find them everywhere. UVA is no exception, it does have people who are ignorant and arrogant, but as does every other University. It is a shame, and just plain wrong to label an entire University as inhabited by "racists", the majority of students at UVA are very respecting of other cultures, races, religions, etc. As a minority student (Indian) who will hopefully transfer to UVA (I find out in 6 days), I have no worry of racism at UVA.

jtm4499

"That is ridiculous" is not really an adequate response to those who are victims of racism. Yes, there is racism at UVA because colleges are microcosms of the larger society. But there is a large population and a faculty committed to combatting it at every step I think. I have friends who have experienced racial slurs at UVA but I also have friends who have experienced that at other schools.
I'm interested that someone has considered this topic addressed "more than enough." What a perfunctory response to a serious concern.

vistany

Victorious, please know that Virginians are not a homogeneous group. I am a class officer, in a northern virginia school, that boasts students from nearly every country in the world.

Please don't think you will be a victim of discrimination. It simply is not true. Please PM me. If UVa is the school for you, I will make introductions the very day we move in.

I can understand the concern of moving to a new country. But don't worry about being Korean. Truly...

Protean

right venado, that's EXACTLY how UVA is every day. A few isolated cases a few years back that led a story in the Post is representative of daily life here. After searching through your posts I've seen a trend in attacking Virginia. Seeing that you are a parent I am disappointed in your lack of maturity.

to the original poster, you shouldn't worry, racism is no more or less prevalent than at other academical institutions. As has been said, lots of posts have been made on the topic.

MechWahoo

The new CAS dean is Korean.

db123

1. Look at the threads around to see if this topic has been addressed. ("UVA's reputation" on the 1st page comes to mind) Or use the Search button. It's amazing what that function can do.

2. Since you have already made the decision to come to UVa, it seems ridiculous that you wouldn't check up on this issue beforehand if it was such a concern. You should have done your research beforehand (especially if you were concerned for 6 years) and tried to find the sources of these rumors that say UVa is racist. Honestly, I'm disappointed that you would post such a stereotype; by doing so, others may believe you (when it's clearly not the truth.) Leave stereotypes at home; bring an open mind in August.

3. There's racism everywhere. Get used to it. Or better yet, do something about it. (P.S. I'm a minority.)

melli

Yes, this issue has been addressed enough. I'm a bit tired of repeating the same words that can be found on threads just a few below. So please, refer to my response in other threads.

Globalist

I find it funny that I need to cut and paste my response to this issue several times a year, so here goes.

Jtm4499 & Venado, that article was from 3 years ago. I think the true test of character is not based on what happens to you, but how you react. And that can be said also with institutions. When a racist incident happened then on Grounds, what was UVA’s reaction? The entire school acted energetically and transparently against racism - meaning instead of trying to railroad or conceal anything that might damage UVA's image, the University community instead stood up and made public the incidents as well as its outrage - from rallies & vigils, to President Casteen making a video decrying all intolerance, to student organizations and the Faculty Senate making public declarations of condemnation, to the Alumni Association offering money to bring the culprits to justice, to students painting Beta Bridge, wearing black t-shirts instead of orange ones at football games as well as wearing black ribbons around Grounds - ALL THIS - to say that racism has no place at UVa.

Google "racist acts on college campuses", and you will find articles about racist incidents at Yale, Columbia, Penn State, and other schools throughout the entire US. If you're afraid of racism, don't leave your house. That's probably the only place in the world where you won't have to deal with it.

shoebox10

It's sad to see the stereotypes float around about UVa. So what that UVa is majority white...so is the rest of USA. So what that racial incidents have happened here...they have elsewhere. You cannot escape fact, and fact is that racism exists everywhere. But worrying about this and trying to figure out if UVA is racist is absurd. Many students, past and present, and parents, have admitted racism does exist at UVa, but in VERY VERY small, rare doses. And, it usually happens between a few kids, not against an entire race. People here are known to express their views and take advantage of their first amendment (*cough* CavDaily...but I think their stuff is funny, like it's meant to be) but in positive, thought-prevoking ways. There are bad apples here and there, but if you can't trust us students/alumni enough when we say we live here daily and never see racism (I haven't, this entire year), then maybe you should reconsider schools. I would love for anyone to join us Hoos, but know that we will give you the respect you deserve, and expect the same.

And I agree, these threads are getting old. Why should we constantly have to defend what we know is true? One major incident in the past has smeared UVa, a school that happens to represent VA's racial balance very well. It's a shame people hold on to the negatives...

jtm4499

no one is smearing UVA. Why are you so defensive? I was merely suggesting that is is often easy for members of mainstream racial or religious groups to declare something a non-issue because they are not personally affected. No one is saying that the Klan is alive and well at UVA. Give it a rest. Your hostility and condescension are not placing UVA students in a good light.

collegehopeful78

Lol Vistany , Thomas Jefferson is not representative of UVA students as a whole.