Letter to the Editor: Black Friends
Dear Mugdown,
I need some advice. When Martin Luther King, Jr. Day came around this year, I wanted to celebrate with a cookout. As I was thinking about who I could invite over, I realized my guest list had a certain lack of diversity to it. To put it bluntly, I realized I don’t have any black friends. I promise it isn’t intentional! It is just the way things have worked out for me so far in college. So here is my question: is it more racist for me to not have any black friends, or to befriend someone just because they’re black?
On one hand, I could just keep doing what I’m doing, but I am a sophomore already so you would think I’d have at least one black person in my clique, right? It’s like, kind of racist to not even have a black friend, right? I feel like it just looks kind of bad if I only associate with white people, even if I do it unintentionally.
At the same time, I don’t know how to just befriend a stranger, no matter their skin color. Almost everyone I know started out as a friend of a friend. Do I just ask them if they want to hang out, but not like a date? Would they know what I’m doing? Does this happen to black people a lot this time of year? There’s a black guy in one of my classes, so maybe I can try to sit near him next class while people are still figuring out seating so it seems natural.
I hope this didn’t come off as offensive, but I just really want to make sure I’m doing the right thing here. I would appreciate any advice you have to offer, and also any recommendations for black people I can befriend (or not befriend?).
Thanks,
Grey Area
We haven’t met a more maroon-blooded Aggie than War Hymnal. He can be seen across campus, whether it’s banner-holding for Breakaway or giving campus tours. A man of true virtue, the only swear word he says is “hell,” but only when shouting “sounds like hell” during the Aggie War Hymn. He says he doesn’t feel guilty about it because his service at the Big Event serves as his annual repentance.