The Ivory Tower

Katie could have gone to that fancy school out in Nashville, but she wanted to stay close to home. She wanted to stay integrated in her community.

So she elected to stay in her adopted hometown, attending the big public school in Memphis, majoring in African-American studies.

Her professor was Latoya Richards. In her mid-30s, with closely cropped hair and flawless Black skin. She was dressed in all black as well, with a sweatshirt and jeans and black flats. She exuded power, even not dolled up, Katie thought.

"Welcome to African-American 101," she started simply. "This class is about deconstructing history. History written by those that conquered and prospered. Unearthing the hard truths underlying that history. Talking about slavery, about Jim Crow, about civil rights, and about how we may have come part way, we haven't come nearly enough."

She looked directly at Katie. "For my white students, and I see a few of you here, this will be a time of introspection for you. It'll be difficult to hear. And if you were to drop out now, I wouldn't blame you. But for those of you that remain, you'll learn a thing or two you'll never learn in the rest of your life. And you'll learn a life in service, instead of privilege." Katie shivered hearing these words, feeling like Latoya was talking directly to her.