<p>Not being an African American male, I didn’t think I’d have any part of this discussion, but I will say that I’m surprised by Jag’s comments over the last few days, not just on this topic.</p>
<p>I don’t think lumping the entire population together and saying they “self-segregate” is accurate. </p>
<p>As for the comment that African American students don’t participate in mainstream activities, that’s ridiculous. I know African American students who are involved in a range of activities at UVa. Just the other day, one of my favorite summer tour guides came by to tell me that he had just been elected president of his fraternity. Obviously, that just one example off the top of my head, but he is not the exception to some sort of social rule here.</p>
<p>My only advice about staying away from “self-segregation” is not to give up on a club or organization if you encounter one person with a chip on their shoulder. You’re apt to run into people with sheltered backgrounds and perhaps some ignorance about other cultures at almost every school in the country. I think our students are mostly friendly, out going kids who aren’t going to make assumptions about you simply because you’re a student of color.</p>