The Idea of University- Bell Hooks
The author began by discussing the relationship between her and her parents and their attitudes toward her attending Stanford University. As she made the transition from high school to college, Hooks' parental support was present but minimal: a fact made clear when Hooks stated, "It is difficult for me to talk about my parents and their impact on me because they have always felt wary, ambivalent, mistrusting of my intellectual aspirations even as they have been caring and supporting." Imagining that Bell would venture off to college and completely abandon her past was the fear of the Hooks family, thus causing them to adamantly oppose her going so far from home. Despite her parents' cynicism of her behavior in college and even though they acted in ways which sometimes made her question the value and significance of intellectual endeavor, Bell yet pursued her aspirations with the minimum support she had. From a more personal standpoint, I received support from a myriad of f!amily and friends in the college decision-making process. Naturally, there was a slight sense of uncertainty and apprehension, on my father's part especially, but overall, there were no major hindrances in my way. My parents never had to wonder or worry
While Hooks spoke of the constant struggle to coexist with individuals whose backgrounds were diametrical to hers, in an environment where the higher social majority ruled, I, on the other hand, found myself in a similar situation. !" Not only do I speak openly about my background without any regrets, but I also take great pride in it. I, myself, am a black woman, yet my circle of friends is diversified. The only difference is that I did not, nor do I today, feel any pressure to conform to the "status quo. Yet when I thought about it seriously, I realized that in a deep way, I knew them for they. Since I addressed black folk who were clearly not associated with Yale, she wanted to know whether or not I knew them. Can we ever achieve total unity in a diversified body? That is left to the individuals who make up the body to decide. Not to say that it is not difficult at times, because one does tend to gravitate toward his/her own kind in an unfamiliar environment, but I see this ideal as a stumbling block in our society. "It was a kind of treason not to believe that it was better to be identified with the world of material privilege than with the world of the working class, the poor. come together to intellectualize and influence each other in a positive way, stimulating our thought processes, challenging one another. This does not mean that we all have to come together and form a collegiate melting pot, but we should at least be open-minded to differences, whether or not one of us is from the ghetto or another of us is a product of Society Hill. an action which disturbed my companion.
Common topics in this essay:
Ivy League,
Hill Hooks,
Imagining Bell,
Stanford University,
,
total unity,
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Acceptance Essays
