As we near the end of Black History Month and Black historical figures and their accomplishments prepare for their 11-month hibernation period, one group of students is doing the work and having important conversations about the hard “R”― racism. Students in Professor William (Bill) DeBridges’ Seminar in Cultural Consciousness and Inclusion took some time to share their personal experiences with race, class, and other forms of oppression with one another. From this conversation, we here at the Pinky Toe want to highlight the voice of a student who represents a group that is simply not heard from enough: straight white men.
When Chad LeDouche (pronounced le-doh-SHAY), Questrom Class of ‘25, raised his hand in seminar, some classmates weren’t sure what to expect. This was the same Chad who, in a prior class, responded to being asked if he identified as a cis man with “Oh, no thank you. I’m just normal.”
LeDouche began by forming a connection with the student who had spoken before him. “First of all, what you said about being a Black woman in America and like…discrimination and stuff…solid. I can actually kind of relate to that, ‘cause not a lot of people know this about me, but I actually went to public school.”
LeDouche went on to explain the trials and tribulations he faced growing up as a young straight white male in the unforgiving public school system of Fairfield, Connecticut.
“The public school system is like, totally broken in this country, for sure. The private school kids really looked down on us. They called us poor because their school had three gyms and we only had two. For their class trip, they got to go to Japan, and our school could only afford stupid Paris. They could go to any college they wanted, but my dad had to make, like, three calls to get me into BU. You know like…it’s like actually segregation.”
At this point three Black students stood up and walked out of the room, but Chad didn’t seem to notice as he pressed on, bravely sharing his story.
“I think it definitely taught me to respect people of like…all races and cultures and that kind of thing. My school even used to have a Cultural Diversity Day, where each of us would choose a different nationality and come in dressed up like that country’s―” We’re going to stop you right there, Chad.
LeDouche’s girlfriend, Confederayceigh Smith, who according to Chad, grew up in a Virginia mansion with a country club membership but still has “the woman thing,” also shared her thoughts on Chad’s courage and how adversity has shaped him into the man he is today.
“He’s honestly like, so culturally aware because of his background, and I just think that’s so great. It’s like, does racism even exist anymore? He even has a Black friend! I think his name is Tyrone?”
After Smith’s interview, we also reached out to Tyrone to comment on LeDouche’s inspiring story growing up as a public school kid in America. In response, he said, “What the fuck are those two talking about? My name is Steven.”