Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Led by Inequities has, and will continue to serve the community members of Texas A&M and the desire to learn more about what it is like to be a person of color on campus.

After speaking with Lauren Chapman in episode one, there has been the opportunity for the listeners to make a difference in their community through simply starting a conversation – a conversation that can cultivate a home-like environment for everyone. 

Episode two will include interviews with community activist, Tre Watson, that currently works with people of color tied to Texas A&M, whether they are students or fellow activist. These conversations with Tre have granted me the opportunity to have questions, including ones that I personally did not even know to ask, answered. Questions that will have the audience captivated by the inequities on campus and how it has impacted thousands of students and university employees. 

Photo from San Antonio Express-News

With episode two wrapping up the Led by Inequities series, I hope that this podcast will garner your attention to an issue that goes beyond color and into uncovering systemic racism at our university. 

The most important piece of this episode, and the previous, is that this podcast is not about ridiculing or dismissing the educational significance of Texas A&M. This podcast serves as a tool to become an agent of change in our community, even if it begins with an understanding of issues that have an impact on those around us. However, my hope is that the listener will make a change or employ the benefits of their capital to better the lives of the people of color on our beloved campus.

With that being said, I am hoping that episode two and this podcast as a whole will change your perspective on our community structure and the practices in place that have made our peers, friends, campus workers, feel uncomfortable and unwanted.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Texas has historically been known for its diverse terrain, food, and demographics. Settled on the border of Mexico, Texas has been named home by immigrants for hundreds of years. However, Texas’ higher educational systems have not seen the diverse populations many cities and public schooling systems have all across the country. Is this an economic issue? Or one that stems more from systemic racism?

Texas A&M is Texas’ largest university with a student population of around 70,000 students. Of these 70,000 students, only 3% of them are black. 3% of 70,000 is 2,100. 2,100 individuals who have been marginalized and pushed to the side. The lack of this diversity and push for inclusion has unfortunately created an incentive for people of color to attend other colleges, instead of coming to Texas A&M to further their education.

I had the opportunity to speak with a  black Texas A&M student, and she openly spoke about the environments, both good and bad, that she was exposed to during her time here on campus. Despite her several accolades and accomplishments during her time here in College Station, she unfortunately experienced hate at a level that should not be felt by anyone, especially in a place in which learning is prioritized. Her discrimination was solely based upon the color of her skin, as she is a model student. Her stories that I was privileged to hear showed me that this is an issue that is not individualistic, but felt by students all across the university.

Led by Inequities will offer you, the listener, the opportunity to become an agent of change and make a difference in your college community. The simplicity behind starting a conversation and engaging with someone who’s voice is not typically heard, will cultivate an environment that can be called home, something that everyone yearns for. And through this podcast, I hope that the stories that are being shared resonate and inspire you to be the change that our beloved home, Texas A&M, needs.