There once was a time when it was common for an African American to be thought of as unintelligent. In 17th century America, African Americans weren’t seen as the intellectuals they are today. They weren’t people but rather uncivilized, unsophisticated, idiotic beasts. Then one man changed that perception. Frederick Douglass changed how the world saw black people. He defied all stereotypes and proved that we are human. He proved that we are capable of being studious and just as intelligent as our peers.

It’s nearly 250 years later and I feel we need more people like Frederick Douglass. I sit alone in my Advanced Placement English class but not alone as in there’s nobody near me. The class is full of students eager to challenge themselves with the advanced course. There is just nobody else in the class that looks like me, African American.

This made me wonder what separated me from everybody else. There are 50 African-American students in the junior class. Of that only two are enrolled in this college level course. “I think it’s a lack of personal motivation,” said Audrey Weir-Graham,  African American social studies department chair. Between her two honors classes only one student is African American and two others are mixed. “There are bright children out there, they just don’t push themselves.”

The reason I take harder classes is because I like the challenge. Since my freshman year I have always taken honors and Advanced Placement classes if available because know I can do it. My mother also plays a part in supporting me in my academics and extracurricular activities. I have yet to fail a class or drop beneath a 3.0 grade point average because I know that through hard work and good grades I am going to college. This brings me back to my question: Why are there are so few African Americans in harder courses?

“I feel it is because they don’t want to try,” said junior Tyron Blair. Blair has recently taken a more active role in his education and is taking honors courses this year. “There are such a rare few that will take honors classes and have high grades that people will simply get intimidated and not try.”  The fear of failing is a main reason one might feel inclined to play it safe in a regular course. Confidence is the most important thing one can have in school. A grade is earned, not given. If one believes they can achieve a high grade and truly work towards it, then they will earn an A. “What’s stopping you?” Blair asks. The answer is nobody but yourself. If someone chooses to doubt themselves and give up in the class then their grade will reflect it. So if grades can’t be the issue I think it is a lack of motivation.

Weir-Graham says it is students’ lack of having a role model  that stops them. “One student can change the outlook of a student’s life by simply asking, ‘Have you thought about college?’”

It was a teacher I had met in eighth grade that recommended I take the classes I do and without her I probably would be taking less challenging courses. By having someone who believes in you and wants you to push yourself can make all the difference.

That is why Blair joined PLUS, to make a more positive impact on his peers. “I don’t want to grow up and earn money and see the same people I see now on the corner asking for it.”

Frederick Douglass proved that African Americans are smart. It is up to our generation to free ourselves from academic mediocrity.