I remember as a teenager watching the Washington DC sniper on television and hearing people bet on the race of the shooter. It was almost unanimous that this was not a Black person. When the identity was revealed, everyone was shocked, a Black man and his son, had killed innocent people for no apparent reason.

Last year, I sought out ways to create an English course that utilizes solely African American authors and characters in the curriculum. After a petition and some paper work the course was finally approved by my school. Excited to teach "Ourstory" and celebrate Black culture, I set the standards and expectations high for both the students and myself, the instructor.