The Synergistic Pen

A total stranger engaged me in discussion the other night.  He asked me, and I quote.

Did you attend a HBCU or a predominately white college?

Now, I am being serious when I tell you, as I told him, I've never been asked that question quite that way before.  I laughed at the notion of him asking me that and then asked him, why did you ask me where I've been to college in that particular manner?

He seemed confused at the question, I clarified and he told me,

I need to get a feel for where you are as far as your colonization is concerned?

What the FUCK??

After I stopped laughing at him, I told him where I'd done my matriculation (the man didn't know what matriculation is; btw, he's an educator, go figure) and wasn't sure if attending an HBCU versus a predominately white institution of higher learning really would have THAT great an influence on my "colonization".

Oh yes!  It does... you can become lost and brainwashed if you attend a white school!

What the FUCK??

He then proceeded to explain why it is important for black people to immerse themselves in their culture and that this can only happen in an HBCU. I respectfully disagreed.  I went into my classism is toxic routine, basically informing him that the state of one's colonization is depended on the environment one is exposed to BEFORE entering college and that it was MY observation that HBCU's were full of black kids who didn't have the vaguest idea who they were before they showed up at school and therefore spent 4+ years having all the colonization washed off them.  This, in contrast with black kids who have a vague idea of who they are before showing up at school and being "BLACK" within the confines of the "colony".

He seemed confused and really wanted to argue about it.  Unfortunately, I don't argue with people who apparently just discovered there was a colony and they were/are part of the matrix of that colony and now want to "save" everyone else from the colony.

OH, did I mention, an earlier discussion with this same man resulted in his insistence that any PROPER understanding of who you are as a black person in America HAD to include embracing everything Huey Newton stood for and that Richard Wright didn't speak for black men in America.

What the FUCK??

So this second conversation was my attempt to make sure I wasn't just tired that evening and just took his words as foolishness.  I hadn't.  Dude actually has militant tendencies and absolutely no clue what to do with them.  Damned shame actually, he seemed so... aware, there for a second.

So, anyway, concerning my "colonization".  I am, as noted on several occasions, made note of my racial stature, cultural immersion, and focus on my community.  I didn't bother telling him... for now.  He thinks he has something to give me.  I"ll let him think that... for now.  No sense in breaking his spirit right out the gate, right?

Oh well, I'll update you on HIS "colonization" as soon as I pry it out of him. (why is it, they expect you to tell ALL your bidness in the first conversation, yet don't want to give up any self revelation?  mmmmm?)

Keep on being who you are people...  the colony is watching!!