Girls Will be Boys?

Hello followers, its been a while. But let's get straight to the point. I am a Posse Scholar ( if your unfamiliar with this term here's a sight you can reference: Lafayette Posse 5, http://www.possefoundation.org/). Recently, I attended the Posse Plus Retreat 2012 on gender and sexuality. There was a wealth of discussion on gender and what it means to be man or woman, and what is masculine and feminine. I have concluded with this retreat that i am a masculine woman. What does this mean? it means that while I embrace what it means to be a woman, I find myself displaying similar characteristics of masculinity. I have noticed this from a young age: playing with the boys at recess, and the girls, having barbies and a science kit, being emotional but not touchy feely and clingy. These are very surface level, almost superficial manifestations of my identity but I think it speaks to something (what exactly? I'm not sure). Moreover, the way I interact with people is very straightforward and to the point, and yet many people (for those who can put up with me, friends and strangers included) find an odd comfort with me; telling me personal stories and asking for my advice even when I may not have the best answers. Some would argue that gender has nothing to do with this and they could be right. However, we have grown up in a socialized world of heteronormativity where from  generalizations of gender stem. So are some of my traits just Danyelle or am I behaving as a "masculine woman"? What is your gender identity, do yo define it or does it define you?

Privileged Elite

Having a disscusion today, an interesting thought came into my head. The minorities on LC's campus are still riled up about the multiple acts of ethnic intimidation that continue to occur on campus. Many of us are wondering why only we are so offended when things like the swastika should offend everyone equally. It would be easy to attribute this non-chalance to ignorance, but I think I have come up with a plausible cause. Caution: I could be making some bold claims (work with me, let your mind expand). LC's majority is white privileged upper-middle, and upper class. The reason why things like the swastika don't affect, or stress them as much as the minority is because they are more heavily committed to the fruits of "their"( their parents) labor. I'm not claiming that these people lack values and moral standards, I just think that they are less affected because they are still comfortable and still have everything going for them. We as minority struggle economically because of years of economic, and institutional racism. Because we don't necessarily possess all the benefits of the privileged elite we more readily cling to our intangible values. We hold them closer to our hearts more so than the others because we are forced to and have been used to doing so for centuries.What do you all think? Am I reaching?

I felt compelled to write a post on love. True love trumps anything else you thought was more important to live for. Love is what I live for each and every day and it's depressing that so many people have given up on the strongest feeling that is life. I hate when love takes the rap for things that are only indirectly a result of its affects. I hope that marriages can be rewired and, again, built on this principle and strong foundation! <3 What do you all think?

What is the role of a black man?

I have come in contact with a number of Black Men in my nineteen and some years of life. Each has been unique, and each has been powerful. What I'd like to know is what is their purpose, and is there only one pupose? African-Americans are traditionally at quite a disadvantage because we must constantly measure up with the White Man. Why must all out measures of success be interms of caucasian values?  Yes I am making very broad generlizations but I want us all to think, what is success? Is the first thing that comes to your mind a beautiful family? Probably not.....and it wouldnt  be the first thing that came into my head, and Im not saying that it should be that way. But, dont we deserve an option, shouldnt we be able to create our own measures and determinats of success? My expectation of a black man is underdeveloped and wide-spread. Their role in my eyes is the foundation, the provider, and the protector. I believe men naturally carry these characteristics. Society has played a major role in how women have come along. Many of us have had to adopt these roles , and that is not where the problem begins. The problem begins when they adopt these roles without the same respect and rights that men have. How can we perform roles , that for whatever reason are often thrown on our laps, when  men dont allow us to step up to the plate on an equal playing field. What I urge women, especially black women to do ( and I don't expect this to be the end all of relationships) is to fall back a little and let that man do his innate duties. As a strong African-American female this is easier said than done. I'm constantly convincing myself that we are equals, and we are, our souls are 1 and 1. We need to understand that we all have roles and women we must play ours, and BROTHERS I'm asking you to step up to the plate and take on these roles that you seem to shy away from, because guess what? You CRAVE them, I promise. Do right for you and do right for the ones you love.

Hatred!

Through out this past academic year our school has experienced a number of acts of ethnic intimidation. Swastika's have been drawn on surfaces all over campus, words like nigger have be traced in to the salt of staff cars. There are no words to describe how disgusted I am at the people who live in this communiy. Of course I'm disgusted at the perp, but I think I'm even more so disgusted at those who are non-chalant about all of these happenings!.....It's saddening to know that people are ok, and choose cohabitate with monsters!  When I see this sign:
 
my blood boils!. .....I apologize for anyone who feels offended by me posting this picture,I  just want people to understand that hatred should be a freaking crime, a crime taking more seriously because it is so detrimental to the advancement of out nation, and the world.

Commencemet!

Hello all,
I am a new blogger, I want to keep track of my thoughts and actions as they come, here at Lafayette College (LC). My name is Danyelle, I am a freshman African-American, female. Usually I wouldnt just list off these characteristics about myself , however LC is a difficult enviroment for anyone who shares one or any of these characteristics. As much as this school has put a bad taste in my mouth, I have hope, as I continue to blog, I will futher explain the happenings at Lafayette College (as the events, causes and meanings are deeper thatn an opening post). As of now I sound proper, and all about PC, but please be mindful people I have emotions and I expect them to come forth, all that I ask is that all comments be pure in emotion and genuine as well. If you have advice I would love to hear it, if I'm making my self sound like an asshole please let me know. Thanks! Be back soon!