The population of my hometown is 1,652 residents; the number of students residing in Sellery Residence Hall is 1,152 students. These are very similar numbers.
There are three schools total in my town — an elementary, middle and high school, serving a total of 518 students. As you can probably guess, my town and all the schools I went to as a child were predominantly white.
I chose University of Wisconsin for many reasons, the outstanding nursing school and amazing basketball team being the first two reasons. I also chose UW because of the diversity. I wanted to meet people from all over the country and all over the world.
I have met people from all over at UW. But what’s even better is that I have met a small group of underrepresented individuals here who happen to be some of the most down-to-earth people I have ever had the pleasure of encountering.
I was lucky to have the opportunity to join my best friend in going to the Ebony Ball, an event hosted by the Black Student Union to bring black students together to form a community in this predominately white institution.
Believe me, I’ve been to my fair share of events similar to this — where everyone is dressed up and there are guest speakers, food and music. Basically every sports banquet, scholarship night, student council and FBLA conference I attended in high school were relatively similar to this. And you can guess again that throughout my lifetime, I attended these events with people who looked like me.
This event was different. People weren’t quiet through most of it like what I’ve seen in the past. In fact, they couldn’t stop talking to each other because their sense of community is so strong and so intimate.
People didn’t talk down to one another. A girl at one table wasn’t gossiping about a girl at the other table. Nobody was judged for what they chose to wear. Size zero and size 20 were beautiful on this night, unlike in our cruel society. People talked up to one another for once.
Most importantly, I felt welcomed. Strangers who I’ve never seen before talked to me and asked me questions. Multiple people asked me if I was enjoying the event. Overall I felt extremely appreciated. I was skeptical at first, and asked my friend many times if it was OK that I was going. Now I know when she said they would love for me to be there, she really meant it.
These are the same people behind #TheRealUW. The same students who get spit on in the elevator. The same students who have racist letters slid under their door. The same students who don’t feel comfortable calling beautiful Madison home.
You say these students “assume everyone who is white is racist,” but they welcomed me — my snowflake skin and beach blonde hair — with open arms. Why me? Probably because I take the time to listen. To listen to not only what is going on around campus, but also to how it makes them feel.
You say these students “lack appreciation in regard to the efforts UW makes to support racial equality.” Ever think for a minute that maybe they want change? Not a simple eight-minute video or tweet, but real change. Change that involves putting funding into institutions that welcome diversity onto this campus. Change that protects students of color.
Is their message controversial? Yes! Of course there are people out there who cringe seeing their precious Bucky wearing KKK attire. I cringe even more reading some of #TheRealUW experiences that real students have to endure on this campus.
KKK Bucky and graffiti are both art. Art can be controversial.
I am here to say the members of #TheRealUW movement have some of the biggest hearts on this campus. They want change to protect themselves, their peers and the students that will come after them.
Am I happy with my decision to attend UW? After that basketball season and getting admitted into the nursing school, how could I not be? But the real reason why I’m so happy to go here is because of the diverse group of individuals I have the pleasure of calling my friends. A group that puts too much hot sauce on their food, but a group that is welcoming to everyone.
Kayla Fisher ([email protected]) is a freshman majoring in nursing.