<p>Well, in my school there is definetly a lack of african americans in general. Only 2 % of a 1000 student population are minorities, which includes the ALANA. There’s 3 african americans in my class including me and only two of us take AP courses (the only two african american girls in the senior class of 150) The other student who is male does well in school but he doesn’t care about challenging himself and most of our class view him as “the next rapper” because he’s good at spitting rhymes. I feel like some african american males are underestimated of their capabilities. The students in my school don’t see any potential in african americans in general except for “football players, basketball players, and rappers” not as intellectuals. It’s sad to see this, but I don’t think it’s always the case that they don’t care I think some african american males just don’t have the confidence. I mean how can you tell an african american young man that he can make it when the news headlines are saying that african american males are more likely to go to jail in their lifetime. Sometimes it seems like there’s no hope. All caucasian friends at my school expect me to know the lyrics to every rap song but the funny thing is they happen to know the songs more then I do. Stereotypes can be the biggest weapon against african-americans. My first experience at a school I’ve now been at for five years, on my first day believe or not was when my best friend and I were sitting at a lunch table in eighth grade mind you. We were sitting at lunch with another african american young women and a caucasian young women. One of our teachers walked over and asked the girl why she was sitting with these “colored” girls. How can a 12 year old respond to a teacher calling them colored? I couldn’t do anything, experiences like that could drive someone to not care about school or anything, but I took it the opposite way, I decided to work hard and prove to her I’m more then my color. I think African-American males just need support and encouragement that they CAN do whatever they want in the future. A perfect example would be Obama, although he’s not full black he is perceived as black because of his appearance. He’s the perfect idol for an african-american young man right now. </p>
<p>p.s. sorry this is long, I got a little carried away (lol)</p>