Give My Seat, Share Your Experience, Witness My Future

Dear Ms. Abigail Fisher,

First and foremost, I cannot understand how you felt when you were rejected from The University of Texas at Austin​ in 2008. I do not understand how you faced friends, family, and others after you witnessed their acceptance to one of the top universities in the world. The University of Texas at Austin is not only challenging academically, but also empowering to many who may feel powerless. The University shared with me the meaning of tradition, drive, ambition, spirit, culture, and equity. The University allowed me to sign up (but also pay) for classes that question my ideals, philosophies, and my understanding of blackness. So, let's just consider if I gave you my spot in 2009 (the year you could have applied again to The University of Texas at Austin as a transfer). Though it would have been difficult to give you my spot, here is what I would not have experienced, accepted, understood, hoped for, and believed in…

You would not have witnessed this first generation college student struggle academically in their first year ending with a 2.6 (maybe-that could have been you too).

You would not have witnessed me becoming an Orientation Advisor (an experience that changed my life).

You would not have witnessed me owning my culture and truest life principles.

You would not have witnessed the following year a first-generation college student working differently and learning to take full ownership and responsibility of his education to end the semester on the University Honors list.

You would not have witnessed a young black man taking the time to garner and deepen his interest in what it meant to be Black in America, the positive and negative impacts of obtaining an education, and how difficult it was to be the first member of his family to go to college.

You would not have witnessed the challenges of having to "own your space" in various environments and help others understand how I made it to UT-Austin.

You would not have witnessed the conversations I had with administrators, family members, and other students about wanting to change the world.

You would not have witnessed me taking a back seat and observing the inequalities within our society with my own eyes.

You would not have witnessed me taking steps and moving forward to become a member of The Tejas Club​, a Rapoport Scholar, a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Friar Society, Texas 4000 for Cancer, Camp Texas Counselor, a four year work-study student in the Office of the Dean of Students- Student Activities Department (Student Organization Center), and the Chair of the Black Presidents Council.

You would not have witnessed me envisioning an organization that would allow me to share my experience to help others realize their truest potential at UT, known as Texas Men of Excellence. 

You would not have witnessed me representing and advocating for 52,000+ students (no matter what race) as the Student Body Vice President at The University of Texas at Austin.

You would not have witnessed the development and the ambition of a black man that now understands the meaning of advocating and serving others.

You would not have witnessed the heart, the passion, and my wanting for equality and equity for all persons in the United States of America.

Either way, I would have loved to have you in one my classes at UT-Austin with the ability to share your experiences, opportunities, and what it meant for you to make it to The University of Texas at Austin.

However, I witnessed you take the seat as an Out-of-State student at a top university in the State of Louisiana, but I am not upset. I commend you for stretching yourself and I cannot relate.

I witnessed you graduate from LSU as a business student.

I witnessed you afford to go to another great university (or maybe you could not- not sure).

I witnessed you have the opportunity to land a great job in the city of Austin.
I witnessed you have the luxury to take off of work to represent many students who have related to you and your experience.

Now, witness me 5 years later without The University of Texas at Austin, without 2 degrees (one in education and the other in sociology), without an understanding of my African, Black, and Afro-American culture, without a published research paper over the Top 10 Percent and its effect on African American Males at The University of Texas at Austin, without attending several study abroad trips to England, Ghana, and Brazil, without the honor of serving as The University of Texas at Austin Student Body Vice President, without my ability to share with others their truest potential, as the founder of Texas Men of Excellence….

Where would I be? Be my witness.


#StayMadAbby #WitnessMyAcademicFuture