MORE THAN A # Words by Jacqueline Briddell Photos by Mary Pistorius
In the 60-year span that black students have been allowed to enroll at the University of Texas at Austin, their population has never exceeded 4.9 percent of the entire student body, according to the Office of Institutional Reporting, Research and Information Systems. After integration, the first 90 African American undergraduate students, now known as the Precursors, made up less than 1 percent of the student body in 1956. Their brave initiatives were expected to pave the way for an influx of thousands of black undergraduates at this institution. However, fast forward to today and black students still only make up 3.9 percent of 51,000 enrolled students. These nearly 2,000 black students often refer to themselves as “The 4 Percent.” Although the number of black students at UT is grossly lacking, each of these individuals embody more than just this statistic. They must support and reaffirm one another’s existence in a space that lacks black representation.
Intersectionality plays a major role in the black
other black students. “I really don’t consider myself
community, seeing as many students encompass
part of ‘Black UT,’” George says.
multiple identities. Among the group of intersectional black undergraduates is government first-year Violla
George explains that “Black UT” is a colloquial term,
George. Born and raised in South Sudan, George
not to be confused with “The 4 Percent.” The term
moved to America with no friends and little knowl-
is attributed to a tight-knit, almost exclusive com-
edge of the English language at the age of six. Her
munity of black students who, to people that aren’t
family spent eight years living in Kansas City, Mis-
a part of the group, are seen as the overrepresented
souri and later moved to Austin when she was a
face of the black community. She says “Black UT” is
sophomore in high school. George is not only one of
composed of “cool black kids who can dance and
the 2,000 black undergraduate students at UT, but
dress nice,” which makes her feel very disconnected
she is also a Muslim.
from them. “We don’t have much in common other than that we’re black. That’s how I see it,” George
In many instances, George says she feels uncom-
says. “Besides, if you don’t come in knowing people
fortable in both black and Muslim environments on
already, or if you aren’t a part of ‘Black UT’ from the
account of her race and her religion. When George
beginning, it’s very hard to integrate later on.”
began her first semester at UT, she was too focused
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on her academics and adjusting to college life to
Aside from her absence in the black community,
attend many of the events held by black organiza-
George says she doesn’t consider herself to be a
tions. She thinks that might have caused her to miss
part of the Muslim community on campus either.
out on being involved and forming friendships with
She notes that many Muslim student organizations,
