Current students, how would you describe diversity and racism? I would like insight from current students on whether or not the community is accepting of new people. I have seen threads and articles on racial issues at Michigan, but I do not want them to sway my opinion as they represent a small portion of the community. I initially wanted to attend Michigan because of academic reasons and the diverse community the school had to offer. Would you consider Michigan to be a melting pot or is there noticeable segregation?
Yeah don’t let the media influence you on your thoughts of UMich. I’ve never felt threatened or discriminated against due to my race or looks. Even those seen as “douchebags” in Greek Life won’t bother you if you won’t bother them (and honestly, that’s like 1% of Greek Life kids, a majority of them are normal kids like you and me.)
The isolated incidents involving the Uber incident and the Trump 2016 Diag takeover has only been met with opposition, and I’ve yet to meet anyone that supports those that took part in it (and I’m pretty sure most students think the Trump 2016 Diag takeover was done by townies).
It’s an incredibly diverse place. My kiddo has friends of every race, religion and background at UMich…and they’re all awesome kids. One thing that’s nice about being in a population of very bright people, is that a lot of ignorance/fear based prejudices are rejected by the majority. UMich is one big galactic bar at the edge of the universe…you never know who you’re going to meet, or how their perspective will affect you.
I actually didn’t even know about the Trump 2016 diag takeover, and as for the Uber incident, pretty much everyone on campus has condemned that kid. Actually, I think his own frat put him on probation. To be honest, in college the vast majority of people will be too busy to make judgments on you based on race. It’s always the media blowing everything out of proportion.
“To be honest, in college the vast majority of people will be too busy to make judgments on you based on race.”
I no longer believe that to be true, but do believe that the time you spend in college is the greatest time for meeting and connecting with people who have made some sort of pre-judgment, never having had to examine or rid themselves of it before coming into closecontactwithyou. It is also the best time for you to do the same.
And that’s alright.
The first time a (white) guy who lived in the adjoining hall to my suite in college spoke to me was after he was walking past my open door and heard me singing The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby.” I can still see him now, this really good looking, well-off blonde boy from the city with the Scandinavian name…walks past, backs up, ducks his head into the door of the suite as his flop of hair cut-on-the-angle fell into his face, and asks curiously, “Hey, you know that song? You like that song?”
After that I loaned him music from Jimi Hendrix and Etta James, he got me listening to Stevie Nicks and primed me for Van Morrison. A friendship bloomed.