My mother doesn't like that I'm taking an African/African-American studies class this semester...?

Question

How can I convince her I'm not planning on majoring in it(she thinks it's completely useless), but that I'm just interested in the subject? We're not even really going to go in depth into the civil rights movement here in America--we're mainly going to be studying pre-colonial Africa, the rise of colonialism and expansionism, and studies of the African diaspora, like in the Caribbean, Europe, etc.
I guess my mom thinks it's kind of stupid for a black person to want to study black culture--she still is convinced I should be an accountant(that'll happen when Hell freezes over).

I'm not going to become an accountant--I hate math with a passion, and my mother knows this. She's the master of denial, though.
She even told me to return the books I bought for the AAAS course.

I don't think it's that she doesn't want me learning about black culture...she just doesn't think it's college-worthy. She doesn't know how college works--she thinks that the only classes I should take should be math and science-related--stuff I can "put on my resume" (even though she doesn't understand that you don't list the classes you took on job applications).

Answer 1

First off, point out that it's certainly not the most useless class you could be taking. :)

It's history; history is where we get to celebrate the good things and learn from our mistakes, and if it's geared towards your own culture there's an even deeper connection to it. Knowing history is really the key to being a "knowledgeable person", for better lack of words. Besides that, college gives you a chance to really take a look at all these different things and gain some knowledge about many different areas. Tell her it's making you a well-rounded person.

It sounds like a great class--a very interesting period of history. My world history prof was a native of Sudan, and it was great to get to hear something besides the standard American textbook view of history from him. (Pre-colonial Africa is great--not much is actually known about it, but there are amazing gigantic structures still standing, so many mysteries...)

Answer 2

Personally I can not believe that your mother does not want you learning about any of this. Talk about dening your past. I am not sure what you can do to make your mother understand, other then if you are in college u usually have to take some kind of electives so why not have it be something that you would enjoy and make you a well rounded person. I also agree with knowing where you came from to help figure out where you are going.

I am a white and when I was in college I took tons of diversity classes and even took African American Literature. I have to say the Literature class was the best class I have ever taken. To hear the words of all the people and what they have gone through in their life and the life of their culture.

Personally if you mom can not handle it and you have tried to tell her about it and maybe even try to get her involved in the stuff you are learning then forget her. If you are in college this is your life and you can do with it what you want, when you want. Just because she is your mom does not mean she controls your mind, body or soul. Good luck and I hope you enjoy the class.
V

Answer 3

It sounds like you mom should take the class with you. i would take it, that sounds like a very useful class to take, its so different from typical history courses. plus history is a great tool to understand the present!!! Maybe try telling your mom some interesting things about the class. then after you've done with the class give her you books to read or you can tell her what you learned! If would be a huge lose not to be able to study that time in African/US/Europe/Caribbean history!

Tell her why it is important to for you to take the class. and tell her an important part of being well educated and well rounded is understanding history. i am a white christian and i took a class this year on ancient Mediterranean and Mesopotamia, the class was great because i learned the history my religion and were my family's culture came from.

worst comes to worst get the book list and read them on your own.

Answer 4

Take the class. What's wrong with being an accountant who knows something about black culture and history? It just makes you a more well-rounded person. In my opinion, you can never know too much. And why would it be stupid for a black person to study black culture? That would be like saying since I'm of German and English descent, I shouldn't study European history or culture. Seems to me we'd all get along a little better if we all took time to learn about the various cultures of the world so as to understand one another better.

Answer 5

I don't think you will be the only white person in that class. BUT even if you are, why would it be awkward? It's not like they're different people or anything, obviously. It'll only be weird if you make it weird. Don't worry. Take what you wanna take and what you're interested in :]

Answer 6

Whether white or black or Asian or Indian or anything else....learning about another culture will only enrich your mind. She should be supportive that you want to learn about culture to broaden your horizons, rather than block out the history that made you the person you are today! I think if it is something you are interested in, you will love the class and that can only lead to a good grade and help your GPA. Take the class and have a blast!

Answer 7

I think your mom may be one of the most closed minded individuals I have ever heard of. It really doesn't matter if you were majoring in it anyway. College is designed to make you a more well-rounded person because no one their makes fun of those who are interested in certain subjects. That is why they are there for everyone to take.

Remember, what you major in is your choice. I majored in Math when I started college, but I switched to more creative and fun Graphic Design, and I am glad I did. I make less money than I would have, but I still make good money. I also have fun... so do what you want to do!

Besides, these days an ethnic course is required for everyone (afr. american history, asian history, chinese history, women studies, etc.)

Answer 8

Wait, so you're black and your black Mom objects to you studying your history!!??! -- I've heard it all now.
I don't mean this in a disrespectful way. (I'm white, if it matters.) I just always thought that black people wanted to know about their heritage, what life was like before their families were enslaved and what the world was like before and during that unfortunate time in world history. As a white person I'm interested in it, but I've never taken a class in it. I guess because I've thought that I would be looked upon by other class members as some weird person just because I was white. So I guess I could better understand it if you/your Mom was white and felt this way, because she wouldn't want you to feel out of place, but she's black and feels this way! I don't get it.
Again, please don't take my comments negatively. That's not my intent.

Answer 9

you need to take what you find interesting, if you take a accounting and hate it, you'll never be good at it. Can you pursue a career out of those studies? Maybe tell her what you can get into afterwards, like social work or anthropology, maybe that will calm her down. I think it is necessary for you to take the study for your own history etc.

Answer 10

Don't worry about what your mother thinks. This course could open your eyes to information about Africa that you may not have known about if you'd dropped the course. I say stick with it. You never know when this course will come in handy. At the very least, you could have some very interesting conversations about what you learned. You could be the one to enlighten and inspire someone else with your newfound knowledge. Hope this helps............