Cynthia Williams
A
thread 1/7
I am one of the millions of Black Americans who benefited directly from #AffirmativeAction programs in colleges and universities.

I am also one of the last Black children in NC integrated into an all-white school.

Here's how the programs helped me in my long life, #Spoutible :

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06:10 AM - Jun 30, 2023
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Cynthia Williams
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thread 2/7
I was a quiet child most of my life due to family dynamics that weren't healthy. When I was sent to an all-white grade school as part of my city's delayed integration effort I was scared witless. I'd never seen a white kid in class. This fear only added to my quietness. It wasn't good.

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06:14 AM - Jun 30, 2023
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Cynthia Williams
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thread 3/7
My scholastic aptitude blossomed while I went to my new integrated school. I finally had the books and teachers teaching me things I wasn't learning in my old school. I quickly became an A student. Things were humming along until it was time to go to middle school.

Then the problems started.

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06:16 AM - Jun 30, 2023
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Cynthia Williams
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thread 4/7
When it was time to go to middle school, I...a solid A student who happened to be Black and a female...was recommended to be placed in a remedial learning class.

For an "unknown" reason.

With most other Black kids in this formerly all-white middle school.

My parents freaked.

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06:19 AM - Jun 30, 2023
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Cynthia Williams
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thread 5/7
When my parents stormed the Principal's office to find out what was going wrong, they were told the following,

"Your daughter has social awkwardness and we thought it best to place her in the classes where most of our Black kids feel most comfortable & WITH THEIR OWN KIND".

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06:21 AM - Jun 30, 2023 (Edited)
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Cynthia Williams
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thread 6/7
My parents threatened to file a lawsuit against the school. The Principal relented. The school assigned it's 1st Black Counselor to be my school advisor. The Counselor was hired part of the school's AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM requirements forced upon them by US law.

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06:25 AM - Jun 30, 2023
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Cynthia Williams
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thread 7/7
The Black Counselor's 1st step was to test me to determine my IQ. My score was 140. I was not a stupid child.

The Counselor then tested me to see where my skills were the greatest. I tested high in math and science.

In fact, I tested so high that she recommended I skip a grade.

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06:28 AM - Jun 30, 2023
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Pamela B'well
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@BLACKSTEMUSA
So important to include that others who benefited by #AffirmativeAction were placed in your path to then offer you a hand up, and to provide your parents the needed support to advocate for you, Cynthia.

Bring on the work-arounds!
#ExpandTheCourt
while we’re at it!
In response to Cynthia Williams.
01:56 PM - Jun 30, 2023
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Cynthia Williams
A
In response to Pamela B'well.
Yes, Pamela. An affirmative action hiring reqt helped bring a wonderful counselor in my life who saved me from a middle school disaster. I got into advanced classes because of newly created affirmative action program introduced for smart Black kids like me. I was able to apply to top colleges w/AA.
02:46 PM - Jun 30, 2023
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Pamela B'well
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In response to Cynthia Williams.
Your story tells so much more than people understand about #AffirmativeAction . More people need to know about the positive ways you were impacted by its intended purpose.

Your story’s hopeful message can inspire people to keep working so that SCOTUS does not get the last word.
06:19 PM - Jun 30, 2023
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