Should I do this?

[1956Goldtop]

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True, then again the whole issue of race is a social construct anyways. There is no clear cut division between races and ethnic groups, just what society dictates.

Regardless, I'm not saying that they ought to be called black or not, I'm just saying they are... They are often construed as African American when clearly that is a incorrect term. It is for this reason that I thought Black was the more correct term. Glad you could clarify, you seem to be fairly knowledgeable in this area.


anyways.... have you figured out where you want to end up yet? Any top choices among acceptances or interviewed places?

 

[THH]

Are you saying that american society hasn't been oppressive? This country was founded on oppression and has overtly perpetuated it until say... 1972, and it still has plenty of oprressive tendencies today.

Also, you have the ability to be called irish-french-canadian-american. What about me? I can't trace my lineage to a particular set of countries, so I use the general term African American rather than black for three reasons.
1. I've embraced it on my own terms
2. I am much more than my melanin content
3. I find the term black to becompletely disrespectful. Just look at a few of the synonyms: atrocious, dismal, horrible, hostile, menacing, unclean, wicked.

Why would I want to be called a word that has so many negative connotations , was used by oppressive slave traders (ie: american society) to define my ancestors, and segregates me according to my skin tone?

I don't think it's a chip, I just think it's respect.

Anyways, you're right, you don't know me or my history. And even though I have been blessed to have some wonderful acceptances, oppression still exists in America.

The problem is, though, not everyone agrees with you. Of my three close African American/Black friends, all three have told me that they like 'Black' better and that they thought African American sounded "old fashion." So it can be difficult to please everyone.

 

[flaahless]

The problem is, though, not everyone agrees with you. Of my three close African American/Black friends, all three have told me that they like 'Black' better and that they thought African American sounded "old fashion." So it can be difficult to please everyone.

You're absolutely right. And people have the right to be called whatever they want. And I respect everyone's wishes to define themselves.

 

[flaahless]

True, then again the whole issue of race is a social construct anyways. There is no clear cut division between races and ethnic groups, just what society dictates.

Regardless, I'm not saying that they ought to be called black or not, I'm just saying they are... They are often construed as African American when clearly that is a incorrect term. It is for this reason that I thought Black was the more correct term. Glad you could clarify, you seem to be fairly knowledgeable in this area.


anyways.... have you figured out where you want to end up yet? Any top choices among acceptances or interviewed places?

Word you're absolutely right. There is no correct term. And that's the problem with trying to categorize people. Because even within groups of people of similar heritage, there is remarkable heterogeneity. But largely for political purposes (ie. documenting ethnic disparities) we are forced to continue categorizing people. I wish this wasn't the case and pray that it won't be 20 years from now.

I really loved USC Keck. If they don't come through then I'll be moving to Nashville.

 

[ghostfoot]

i would be very careful how u choose to interpret this statistic just for future reference

Uggh. Are we really so far gone into the realm of PC that we can't look at data showing that URMs are accepted with significantly lower stats than non-URMs and at least admit that URMs have, on average, an easier time getting into medical school that non-URMs with the same stats? I mean I'm not talking about debating the morality of it, but do we really have to pretend that that a 3.4 could be interpreted as a 3.7 or that a 27 could somehow be interpreted as a 31?

I think some people are just delusional, Perrotfish.

 

[ghostfoot]

So I should just accept the name that oppressive american society has given me and call myself black? What about colored? Negro work for you?

Look up black in the dictionary:

Soiled or stained with dirt.
Deliberately; harmful; inexcusable
Boding ill; sullen or hostile; threatening
without any moral quality or goodness; evil; wicked:

The list goes on...

You skipped the first three definitions (the ones that seem to be the most logical in this case). Some of the stuff that you're angry about seems really far-fetched.

 

[patriots0000000]

I think some people are just delusional, Perrotfish.

INDEED numbers are just numbers, no justification is needed, numbers are free from opinion just take them as they are, THANK YOU i needed this realization.

 

[flaahless]

You skipped the first three definitions (the ones that seem to be the most logical in this case). Some of the stuff that you're angry about seems really far-fetched.

Nonetheless, black still has many negative connotations. Do you agree?

 

[lolasmommy]

Here's my situation...I'm currently applying to med school and I've received mostly rejections and it doesn't look like I'm going to get in this time so I will have to re-apply for the next cycle. My question is regarding whether or not I should select "African-American" for my race when I apply again. I can technically select this because I am from a country in Africa. However, I am worried that this has the potential to backfire on me since I don't look African-American. Would schools get angry that I selected my race based on a technicality or are they not allowed to question this?? My friends are telling me to go for it, but I would like more information and other opinions on this matter. This is going to be my LAST chance to apply and I don't want to risk not getting in again. If anyone has been through a similar situation, can you give me some advice (either post or PM me)? Thanks!

Wow... this is the craziest thing Ive ever heard... have you ever selected "African-American" as your race in anyother application (e.g driver's license, credit card application, school admissions) if so then I dont see a problem with you selecting it now if NOT then why should this time be any different. I dont think its appropriate to pick/chose/change your race depending on circumstances or convenience.

 

[ghostfoot]

Nonetheless, black still has many negative connotations. Do you agree?

No, I don't. Most words have more than one meaning and you must interpret them by the context in which they're used.

I think you take pride in feeling persecuted and find creative ways of framing yourself as a victim.

 

[ten10]

you guys even arguing over this bs back and forth is exactly what keeps the race arguments going in this country, and look where we are? in a discussion forum for pre-meds. i realize it's about the admissions process part of it. but in the end, we do not and cannot control it. it is out of our hands. and the arguments both sides make extend to lots of different admissions processes (undergrad, law, dentistry, etc). it is not like proving your point to a few people in this forum is going to make any real difference, because it is obvious neither side will give up his/her beliefs--nor do the people in this forum have the power to make any real change in either law or the general concensus of the nation--mostly because ya'llz are pre-med, when are you gonna have the time to campaign, write 50 letters to your state whatever (i guess maybe when we reach the age of 70-and bored), etc. i mean the point that we even have to discuss this again and again is ridiculous. nobody's going to win either way. because even though you may not see it, there are critical faults in both your arguments---reasons: for the strong points that both sides make against the other. though you choose to ignore them. i.e. flaahless mentions prop 209, but from what i can see, many of you are convinced that prop 209 is not being followed in CA admissions processes.. but we can't know for sure either way as to whether this is true or not.
how can you be so sure that prop 209 has been followed properly through and through all these years? (i'm sure you very well know from history that laws are not always followed, and can be miscontrued) At the same time there is no official proof proving that prop 209 hasn't been followed correctly through all these years, unless somebody is so sure it hasn't, that he/she goes to court over it, much like in past professional school cases, which basically created prop 209 hahha
this is a rant, so if i sound ridiculous, whatever.

 

[flaahless]

No, I don't. Most words have more than one meaning and you must interpret them by the context in which they're used.

I think you get take pride in feeling persecuted and find creative ways of framing yourself as a victim.

So you're saying that the word black doesn't have any negative connotations whatsoever? Weird. Wicked sounds pretty negative to me.

 

[ghostfoot]

So you're saying that the word black doesn't have a negative connotation? Weird. Wicked sounds pretty negative to me.

Flaahless, what does "white" mean to you?

Is it "instigated or carried out by reactionary forces as a counterrevolutionary measure?" Or maybe "conservative or reactionary in political outlook and action?" Perhaps "a lack of warmth and color, and a lack of resonance?"

These quotes were taken from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

So answer me: Do you not believe that "white" means lack of warmth?

I hope you realize how silly this is.

 

[ghostfoot]

So you're saying that the word black doesn't have any negative connotations whatsoever? Weird. Wicked sounds pretty negative to me.

When I describe my hair and eye color as black, do people come away thinking that my hair and eyes are wicked? Probably not. Try to picture yourself as something other than a victim for a moment.

 

[EM84]

Here's my situation...I'm currently applying to med school and I've received mostly rejections and it doesn't look like I'm going to get in this time so I will have to re-apply for the next cycle. My question is regarding whether or not I should select "African-American" for my race when I apply again. I can technically select this because I am from a country in Africa. However, I am worried that this has the potential to backfire on me since I don't look African-American. Would schools get angry that I selected my race based on a technicality or are they not allowed to question this?? My friends are telling me to go for it, but I would like more information and other opinions on this matter. This is going to be my LAST chance to apply and I don't want to risk not getting in again. If anyone has been through a similar situation, can you give me some advice (either post or PM me)? Thanks!

I think it's a terrible idea, especially if it is obvious that your ancestry is from the North African coast (either Arab or Berber) or Afrikaans (or some other european-african derivative). I think it's fair to assume you'll be dealing with adcom members who are pretty well-aware and have seen pre-meds try to finagle all kinds of schemes for admission, including the "I'm dutch-african URM."

By my estimation, your stats are awesome and it's unfortunate you've had trouble getting an acceptance at least OOS if not in CA schools. Thus, I still think it would be imprudent for you to risk your already well-established credentials by wagering on a scheme that I and I think many others feel has a very good chance of blowing back in your face with adcoms thinking you're either a smart-ass or an outright fraud.

Now if your ancestry happens to be from sub-saharan africa or even the sahel and east africa, then yea most likely you may have a chance of getting away with it. In that situation, it's totally a judgement call on your part, even if it is a bit disingenuous b/c from my perspective URM status (which I actually totally agree with otherwise) was not really intended for African immigrants.

 

[flaahless]

Flaahless, what does "white" mean to you?

Is it "instigated or carried out by reactionary forces as a counterrevolutionary measure?" Or maybe "conservative or reactionary in political outlook and action?" Perhaps "a lack of warmth and color, and a lack of resonance?"

These quotes were taken from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

So answer me: Do you not believe that "white" means lack of warmth?

I hope you realize how silly this is.

That's good and all, but how often is white used as a "conservative or reactionary political outlook or action?"

Black is much more commonly used to refer to something that is sullen, tainted, tarnished, wicked, immoral etc.

So, back to my orginal question, are you saying that black doesn't have any negative connotations whatsoever?

Also, please save your judgment of me until you actually meet me. Despite your belief, I'm much more than what I post on this site.

 

[ghostfoot]

That's good and all, but how often is white used as a "conservative or reactionary political outlook or action?"

Black is much more commonly used to refer to something that is sullen, tainted, tarnished, wicked, immoral etc.

So, back to my orginal question, are you saying that black doesn't have any negative connotations whatsoever?

I'm confident that I could glean the appropriate definition of "black" from the context.

(By "glean", I mean "to gather information", Not "to gather grain").

 

[flaahless]

I'm confident that I could glean the appropriate definition of "black" from the context.

(By "glean", I mean "to gather information", Not "to gather grain").

So is that a "yes, black does have many negative connotations, but I'm too stubborn/proud to admit it?"

 

[Thewrongstuff]

So is that a "yes, black does have many negative connotations, but I'm too stubborn/proud to admit it?"

Heya lets lighten up the mood. How about a blonde joke

A blonde walks into a pizza shop and orders a pizza, the pizza guy says "do you want it cut into 6 or 8?" the blonde replys "6 please im not that hungry!"

 

[ghostfoot]

So is that a "yes, black does have many negative connotations, but I'm too stubborn/proud to admit it?"

You are begging to be a victim. Do you go through life like you do SDN; staying up late at night, looking for opportunities to be pitied?

 

[ghostfoot]

Heya lets lighten up the mood. How about a blonde joke

A blonde walks into a pizza shop and orders a pizza, the pizza guy says "do you want it cut into 6 or 8?" the blonde replys "6 please im not that hungry!"

Blonde carries connotations of being "flaxen, or made of flax".

Your joke makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[Thewrongstuff]

Blonde carries connotations of being "flaxen, or made of flax".

Your joke makes no sense whatsoever.

Then all is right.

 

[BioMedPS]

If you do end up doing it, please update with how it goes. I'd love to see what happens.

 

[CubaLibre]

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