USD Magazine Fall 2006

[ sy l l abus ] Course: The Black Atlantic Instructor: A. Rafik Mohammed DESCRIPTION: Exploration of black identity in the Caribbean as compared to that in the U.S., focusing on the similarities and differences of the black experience between the two nations. Specific emphasis on the themes of colonization, slavery, culture and resistance. WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? That USD students might learn what life is like for the average Jamaican. “All but three of the students were white, and once they got away from the touristy areas, every face they saw (except one another’s) was black.” SUGGESTED READING: A Small Place, by Jamaica Kincaid. “It’s hard- hitting. She talks about what it’s like to live in Antigua, a place that’s dependent on tourist dollars, and have people treat you like you don’t exist.”Every student was required to read the book upon arrival.“It basically says, ‘These people who serve you, hate you.’ It freaked the students right out, since every villa was staffed by a maid and a cook.”The point of assigning the book was to force students to think critically about how they interact with native people when they travel abroad. EPIPHANIES, ANYONE? “A pair of students were invited to go to church; a little girl came and sat down next to Michelle, and they talked. She said it was the first time since she got to Jamaica that she didn’t feel like a white person, but just a person.” ESSAY EXCERPTS: “Everything has impacted me, and everything has changed me. I would like to believe I’m a better person because of it.” “I have a better grasp not just of a culture, but of a community.”“My exper- iences with the people of Jamaica have been priceless. No amount of reading could have taught me what they have.” WHERE DO I SIGN UP? The class, which was offered for three weeks in June 2006, took place in Falmouth, Jamaica.

dent. She makes it a priority to be on hand for the events that matter to students. Again, Buttle helps out. “She’s the busiest woman I know,” he says. “And I’m a busy student. But working here helps me know how processes work. I make sure that we’re both at key events that are significant to students, such as orientation and athletic events, and she makes Associated Students President Rhett Buttle and USD President Mary E. Lyons know all about the pressures of leadership. When Buttle told Lyons that he loved USD, she replied, “USD loves you too, but don’t kill yourself with overwork.” sure that I’m with her at the meetings that matter. What’s most important is that I’m able to show her what’s on the minds of students.“ At their first official meeting, Buttle recalls telling the presi- dent of his love for USD. “She said, ‘USD loves you too, but don’t kill yourself with over- work.’” “I do ask him if he’s eating right,” Lyons admits. “She asks me if I’m sleeping,” he adds. “I really do care about his well-being, as I do for all students,” the president says. “This job can be isolating. While I have a lot of people that protect me from that, who makes sure he’s OK?” Being in such close proximity means that the two presidents have a chance to just informally shoot the breeze and talk about removed from college life,” Lyons says. “Having Rhett here really helps me keep my thumb on the pulse of the undergraduates. For me this is life-giving. If I didn’t have the relationships with students, I might as well be a bureaucrat somewhere.” the minutiae of their lives. “I’m several generations

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the start, but they’re not just important to students and A.S. executives, but to Dr. Lyons as well.” Buttle says one issue that students are particularly passion- ate about is recycling efforts on campus. “It really comes back to the idea of developing Catholic social thought, such as steward- ship of the earth,” he says. “I’ve made it a priority to bring it to the attention of the president, to let her know just how interest- ed the students are in this issue, and she fully supports us. In fact, she helped to pull all the bodies from across campus that we needed to get together so that we can get it done.” Though she admits her sched- ule can be ridiculously busy, Lyons is determined not to be perceived as an absentee presi-

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FALL 2006