by Terri Gillard

Created on: March 17, 2010

As an African-American and a college graduate of both junior college and Michigan State University, I am absolutely positive that I am a beneficiary of race based decisions to accept my application to attend both of those colleges. As a result, I must vote yes for race to be used as one of the criteria in the decision to accept someone into college.

I am 53 years old. At the time I tended high school it was a very different time. At that time, my counselor, a young white women, informed me that she felt that I was not fit to go to college and that I should only consider taking classes that offered me a trade, such as, nurses aid or some other low paying unskilled type of job.

I was young and frightened of the idea of attending a college. I didn't think that I would be able to compete or that I could even do the work. And, this women told me that I wouldn't be able to compete with most of the white students because they would be better prepared. I admit that at that time, I hadn't had many of the advanced classes in math and English. I didn't have English lit or even algebra. However, I was very much into reading. Also, there was one thing that I had that she was unaware of- I had a very determined mother.

My mother had experienced a lot of racism in her life. But, she refused to be prevented from following her dreams. As a Licensed Practical Nurse, she experience so much work related abuse, it motivated her to continue her education and become a RN ( and eventually, a Nurse Manager and Director of Nurses at a major hospital in Michigan.) 

Watching my mother's struggle inspired me. I determined that even though I was at a disadvantage because of lesser skills, I would not let that stop me from pursuing a college degree. So, I went against my counselor and applied to junior college. i took every remedial class that I could until I exceeded the low expectations of others.

When I made it to MSU, I received my first 4.0. After that, I stayed on the Dean's List. However, even at MSU, I was told to my face by several different white students that I shouldn't be there because of affirmative action. My reply to them was "affirmative action might have gotten me in, but it didn't put me on the Dean's list or keep me in school". 

If I had followed the recommendations and wishes of those that felt that I should not attend college, I would not have 4 degrees. I would not have the  wonderful life I have now. But, most of all, I would not have the love and respect for education that I have now and that would be a crime. 

I'm sorry to say that race was a factor then and it still is and should be a consideration. I know for a fact that it is not an unfair advantage. It is actually, just one step forward against a system that offers so many stumbling blocks. Please, don't remove the one factor that can help so many. It is a life line to a better future.

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