In 2015 Abigail Fisher, a white applicant, sued the University of Texas after being denied admission to the college. She claimed injury based on the race-conscious admissions procedures that UT implements as a means to ensure campus diversity.

“‘black students’ responsibility in the classroom is not to serve as ‘seasoning’ to the academic soup.'”

I read an article in The Dallas Morning News, authored by Jedidah C. Isler, entitled “Formula for inclusion.” The article addresses Chief Justice John G. Roberts’ and the late Justice Antonin Scalias’ questioning of black students’ contribution of any “unique perspectives” to the classroom, as well as their ability to perform at the university level. Isler protests that such questions are undeserving of answers. She finds it damaging that the justices imply that black students need to justify their presence at all, stating that “black students’ responsibility in the classroom is not to serve as ‘seasoning’ to the academic soup.” That is, “they do not function primarily to enrich the learning environment of white students.” Isler raises a sobering question, “do we require that white students justify their presence in the classroom?” Based on the fact that we do not, Islers’ instinct to reject such insulting questions as those posed by the justices is right on track. But, let me, for a moment, humor the query of the justices and offer an answer anyway.

Jedidah, you make an eye opening comparison in your article. Well, do we question white students’ place in the classroom? No. I’ve never heard of it. So, why would the justices be compelled to even ask for this type of justification for black students? You address the situation as a scientist and as a Bachelor of Science in Biology I will do the same.

I’m picturing myself in Chief Justice Roberts’ place, trying to think from his perspective and I get the feeling that he has not done much, if any, STEM work and apparently no research into the history of scientific discovery and innovation. The conveniences that he must take for granted in his daily life are indeed the result of what “minority” scientists have contributed to the world. Now, the fact is, that the collective knowledge of America is void of diversity. The curriculum from pre-k through doctoral studies is grossly skewed toward whiteness. If this sounds foreign to anyone reading, I invite you to crack open any textbook to the introduction of any chapter and notice who is pictured there and praised for discovery and innovation. This being the case, my internal dialogue is compelled to call him a fool, but that would be bigoted. Instead, let me tap into my solution oriented, logical self and call out the source of such ignorance.

“But what he must not have realized is that we are the descendants of survivors; the children of the ones that this country could not kill.”

There is a need for a unified presence of outspoken intellectuals, like Isler, to be the gatekeepers of Americas curriculum. It seems that America has integrated her schools but has not integrated her school systems. I recall reading, last year, of textbook company McGraw-Hill referring to African Slaves as “immigrants” and “workers.” Was the late Justice Scalia justified in his query of black students ability to succeed? Not if he was questioning the quality of a black students ability to learn. Not if he was insinuating some inherent lack of aptitude on the part of the black student. But, let’s bust the question open a lil bit and investigate the system that is supposed to prepare black students for the undergraduate and graduate level coursework. Who is writing the books? approving the curricula? checking and balancing the facts? Who thought it was okay to minimize the brutal, dehumanizing , culture obliterating, plunderous, bloody practice of American slavery and call it an immigration of workers??? And finally why the hell are we sending our children to be molded by such a system? The question that Scalia asked was an answer within itself. He knew, like the rest of us know, that that sort of system is not for us nor by us. How could it adequately prepare us? Scalia was confused by the idea that black students could overcome such miseducation and succeed.

But what he must not have realized is that we are the descendants of survivors; the children of the ones that this country could not kill. We are the fittest. We must be; we have survived! So, not only are black students capable, but having been burdened with more than their share of problems, they are well trained in the facets of problem solving. The descendants of slaves are genetically, culturally and spiritually predisposed to innovative modes of thinking. Being the children of necessity, they are born inventors. So, to address this search for a unique perspective, I wish to illuminate the group of Americans who have continually carved a place for themselves in a country that never welcomed them as participants, but only as beasts of burden. I present to you the group of Americans that adapted to the conditions of slavery and thrived and continue to thrive. The only group of people who simultaneously wear their oppression on their faces and contribute to the progression of civilization. If it is a unique perspective that causes one to be an asset to the classroom, America should look to the people upon who’s backs she was built and is sustained and then give a n.i.g.g.a. some scholarship funds…