An American Story

By C. L. Stambush

Last summer and continuing this spring, a rash of questionable killings involving police and African-American males has swept across the country, starting with the high-profile deaths of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, Eric Garner in Staten Island, New York, and Walter Scott in North Charleston, South Carolina, culminating with riots and sit-ins. People were angry and frustrated. They still are.

Watching these events unfold in the media delivered a grim message and has heightened awareness to the plight of this particular race and gender. While it’s impossible to know what life is like for every black male, there is a particular group of young African-American males at USI who can shed light on the subject. These students are part of a group called Priority 1, which was created to equip USI’s African-American male population with the skills and knowledge necessary to empower them to reach their goals.

The mentoring program, initiated last fall by USI’s Multicultural Center (MCC), challenges students to discover their personal goals by engaging them in discussion concerning current events, peer literacy and strategies that enable them to increase their odds of success.

The group’s members – representing various socio-economic spectrums in American culture – are dedicated to investing in the work required to reach their goals by defining their personal brand. Attaining those goals is realized through personal and academic development, social skills, presentation skills, community service, attending events, peer mentoring, resume building and strengthening and holding each other accountable to the goals they set.

Dressed in crisp suits, pastel dress shirts and ties – because “when you take yourself seriously, so will others” – five of the six Priority 1 members gathered in USI’s MCC one Friday afternoon for a conversation on race in America, and spoke candidly about their experiences as well as perceptions, the police, education and the future.

What is it like to be an African-American male in America today?

Carlos Clay: That’s a good question. It can be challenging sometimes because of our history and what we’ve been through. I don’t feel we are always looked upon in the best manner. The negativity against African-Americans as a whole is something we are continuing to push through, to overcome. And that starts right here with us students. I’m hoping my USI education is preparing me for what’s coming in the future.

Brandon Barton: There are everyday challenges for everyone but being an African-American, it can feel as if people are judging you to see what you’ll do next. Constantly thinking you are going to do something wrong, but we are in college to defeat those stereotypes and get an education. To grow and become successful men—making and taking care of business, negating those stereotypes from society.

Churon Covington: I don’t feel strangers should look at me and see me as intimidating and scary. When I’m looking out, I feel strong and confident. It’s a strong thing to be.

Devlin Pennington: Being African-American in America, the word ‘overcome’ comes to mind, but also ‘barrier.’ On a micro-scale, in the Midwest, it’s kind of rough because of Indiana’s KKK roots.

Zachary Ferguson: I definitely love the skin I’m in, but being black is a challenge at times. It’s tiring at times. I’m a criminal justice major and I’m scared of the police. You never know what’s going to happen. They can shoot you and the law is on their side. Not all cops are bad; I know that.

What have been your experiences with the police?

Covington: I feel it’s the same everywhere. I get harassed plenty. I get pulled over. I just don’t choose to dwell on those things as much as other people. I feel if that’s all I looked for, then that’s what I would bring toward myself. Other than that, I just try to stay out of the way and do what I’m supposed to do.

Clay: Once, I got pulled over for going 15 in a 10-mile-per-hour zone. We’d just left a party and the car smelled like cologne. [The police] called the canine unit and we had to stand outside in the cold for 30 minutes with no coats. He had the dog sniff the car a couple of times, then released us.

Ferguson: That’s normal. [My brother, cousin and I] got pulled over three times in an hour one night by three different cops. That kind of stuff, you don’t even tell people about because that’s normal to everybody, I feel. Each time I get pulled over I’m thinking ‘This could be the one. This guy could be having a bad day…oh man.

Barton: One night I left Walmart with a cop following me home. At my house, he wanted to know where I was going. I said, ‘Here. My house.’ He said, ‘Okay. You looked suspicious.’ As African-Americans we have to abide by a different set of rules when dealing with the police. I try to make sure my interior light is on so they can see my hands. If they don’t see your hands it could be your life.

Pennington: I try not to give them a reason to mess with me. I got pulled over once and kept my hands in my lap. I ran a stop sign; I admit that. The police told me ‘If I was a rookie, I might have killed you.’ He was letting me know, keep your hands in plain sight.

Ferguson: Everybody gets nervous but it shouldn’t feel like that when the police get behind you, if you aren’t doing anything wrong. I saw this video once. A white dude was pulled over and he jumped out furious, yelling at the cop. I thought, ‘If he’d been black he’d have been shot.’

What challenges do African-American’s face, and what solutions do you offer?

Clay: At Priority 1 we talk about specific challenges…black folks being stuck in a matrix. Everyone else out there working and we’re stuck at home. Everybody is faced with challenges every single day, so I don’t want to single out African-Americans in general because we all face different types of challenges every day, but we are stereotyped a lot. But, these stereotypes don’t fit us all. That’s what we [in Priority 1] are working on to stand against. Some of the challenges are seeing us in business attire. You think of African-American men you think of their pants sagging or some say ghetto, but the men at this table don’t want that. We don’t want to be characterized as that. We want to be seen as fully, potential, grown men who can handle business. That’s why we are here.

Covington: I try to be genuine in my moves and make sure I don’t send the wrong impressions. I just mind my own business and go about my day doing what I’ve got to do.

Ferguson: When I’m in the neighborhood I grew up in – Lincoln/Bosse area – if I see trash on the ground I pick it up. Some might say, ‘He’s not from around here, but he cares about our community more than we do, so maybe I should care.’ You never know who’s going to pick up on your actions.

Barton: I’d like to see the media stop portraying the majority of blacks as dangerous. We need more positive role models—people uplifting black youth. That would make a positive impact on our youth because now, they’re going crazy for no reason. It makes no sense. Just killing for no reason. Just to get a name. Just to become famous. We need people telling them education is the right way to go, not selling drugs. Work hard and get an education. You’ll get more money and you’ll keep your freedom.

What does earning a college education mean to you?

Clay: It means a lot and is a very humble experience. Being here I get to establish new relationships by talking to new people. It’s helped me develop as a person, through the people I’ve met and mentors I’ve had at USI. I’ve had the chance to shake hands with a lot of administrators and build a network, making me more comfortable [with doing that]. But it’s an ongoing process, and we are still developing ourselves. We are not perfect, but I feel as if we are disciplined enough, and have the skills to present ourselves in a good way.

Pennington: We are in a time when not going to college – especially on Instagram – is glorified. There’s a false portrayal that you can make it without college. I wish [African-Americans] would see college as something to take advantage of. I’ve got an 11-year-old nephew. I’m the only positive role model in his life. In talking to him I saw I needed to do better, because he was acting the way I did at his age. I feel if I can change him then I’m somewhat successful.

Ferguson: I’m happy to be back in college. I came to USI in 2010-11, but I didn’t really see the importance of an education then. I was being a knucklehead, and now that I’m paying my way through school I’m big on networking. I’ve met great friends. The way I grew up, you had to look out for yourself. I used to go to sleep starving. You only know what you are exposed to. If you know better you do better. Growing up, nobody [in my family] knew better. I want more from life. I’ve been at Berry [Plastics] almost three years, and I don’t want to work in the factory all my life. It’s allowing me to pay for school, so I do appreciate that. And, I don’t mind paying to go to school. It’s worth every penny to come back to school. I went from sleeping in my car to having my picture taken with the mayor. So I’ve grown into this character of being genuine. I’ve learned to respect others and look out for others. Now, I’m starting to see it come back to me.

Barton: Opportunities in the future…by receiving an education. It gives you options for different professions and ways to make money in the future. Being African-American and American, you already have one strike against you, so you have to find ways to further yourself and elevate your persona.

Covington: Most in my family are not people who would go to college. Had I not come, most likely I would have been exposed to a darker path. I feel like I’m making the best of a bad situation. So, college to me is a valued experience; being able to talk to people on both sides of the fence, those who have and haven’t graduated. Listening to the person who has just graduated explain ways to expand your horizon and opportunities as to what you can do. All my professors tell me life is a competitive environment so put yourself forward.

What has being a part of Priority 1 done for you?

Clay: It’s gotten me into gear as far as presenting myself to the public. I love the idea of being a business professional on Fridays when we meet. I don’t like people perceiving me in any bad or negative way because that’s not my character. Doing the right thing. Being a leader. In college, I feel I’ve developed my communication skills and leadership skills. These are necessities in this world. Being presentable. Being gentlemanly. People pick up on that. People talk. After a while, hopefully, they’ll say, ‘He’s doing the right thing. He’s a good man.’ I hope people pick up on this and start following some of the rules we are setting. A little here, a little there, it eventually adds up. If you apply yourself day in and day out, people are going to see the big picture—what you are truly about.

Ferguson: I try to dress up more because of the stereotypes of black men. People say, ‘They sag; they thugs; they this; they that.’ Three of us were at the mall in our dress clothes and people were shocked. Somebody asked if we were coming from church. Because we’re black and wearing suits we have to be coming from church? Why couldn’t we have come from a meeting?

Barton: Treat people with respect. Be honest. Some things I’m doing…college is definitely number one…I’m also involved with the Black Student Union. I feel it’s all helped me mature in a way that I can see things from a grown man’s perspective instead of a young man’s perspective. Priority 1 has helped me prepare me as an African-American male in society…dressing the part, wearing business attire and acting professional.

Pennington: I’m big on not letting people down. I don’t want to ever let anybody down.

Ferguson: These guys truly want to see each other succeed. It’s a brotherhood. Priority 1 has changed the way I behave when I’m out and about. We are representing something much more than ourselves. I have friends at Western Kentucky University who, because of what we are doing, such as Kutz 4 the Kids are creating Black Men of Western [group]. That’s because of what they saw us doing. It’s a stepping-stone, but I feel Priority 1 is definitely setting the tone.

Clay: Growing up in predominately white schools, we weren’t taught about African-American history beyond the baseline of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. We didn’t hear about Marcus Garvey or W.E.B. Dubois. At Priority 1, we get in-depth in African-American history and culture, and the problems that pertain to us. It makes me think about what my race is and the potential we have.

Final thoughts?

Clay: I feel if we come together as one, we can overcome as one. [Changing attitudes] starts at a young age, at home. If we can take care of that early on we will see progress. We’ll see people coming together. It may be hard for some African-Americans to show some respect, but respect goes a long way. In any race, I feel that if you can show respect to your elders and peers, it can take you a long way. We are the future generation. It starts with students getting together, networking and shaking hands with each other.

Pennington: It probably won’t be for the next 50 years, but it will get better.

Covington: Racism will end when everybody feels it is time for a change. When blacks stop being stereotypes and other people stop expecting that all blacks are stereotypes. When everybody feels they can accept other people, that’s when it will change. Until then, there will always be people who don’t like you because you are not them.

Barton: We are getting there but we are not there yet. We still have a lot of work to do, but I feel we can do it. Failure is not an option.

Racism is not an African-American problem; it’s an American problem. The turmoil currently roiling across the United States is alarming, but the future is hopeful as long as USI continues to provide students support and education in a manner that delivers thoughtful individuals into the world. The above discussion was not intended to bring a conclusion to the subject, but rather start a conversation––one that hopefully will arrive at enlightenment and greater understanding.