By in large, we've been systematically oppressed. I think African Americans are the strongest, most flexible people in the world. Today's students st ill feel the effects of slavery and Jim Crow segregation, according to Perry. In classroom situations, these feelings can cause tension. They never want to ask questions, and are anxious for the discussion to end.
Black students tend to be ashamed of having been slaves, and angry, and white students feel guilty.
Perry said he often hears the belief that specialized studies including Women Studies, Latino Studies and African American Studies separate people more than bring people together. He believes this ideology is based on a false assumption. That there is no difference, that our experiences have been the same. What you really need to do is forget your experience and become a part of the so-called 'melting pot', which has never been the case. I don't get the same type of political consciousness from students as I saw 25 years ago.