You go there?

I grew up in the Inland Empire of Southern California. I went to San Bernardino High School, which is found in the South end of San Bernardino. When people would ask what high school I went to I would answer them with said statement and then I would get the ever famous reply "You go there?" in a condescending tone with eyebrows raised.

If one were to step foot on my high school campus, they would understand that particular question. The student population is two-thirds Latino and the other quarter is African American. I can count how many white students were in my graduating class on one hand. At least a quarter of my freshman class had been to juvenile hall or they were or have been under parole. There were constant fights during lunch time and passing period; and these weren't just fights between students, they were fights that dealt with race and gangs. It was very rare to see a Latino student with a Black student, there was no mistaking the tension between the two races.

Having lived in San Bernardino for some time, this was not unexpected. To even step foot in the south end of Highland Blvd. would label you crazy. When I would stay at night to attend a play or athletic game, my mom would distinctly tell me to stay within the campus gates. The only description my high school ever got was "ghetto." I remember during a water polo game, the team we were playing against was from a high school that resided from the upper class, white community of San Bernardino County. When they got off of their bus, they started looking around as if they were going to be shot at.

Out of the 800 freshman that came into high school along side me, only 400 graduated, which pegs the question "Where did the other 400 go?" Throughout high school I found that the teachers and the principals only got us ready to graduate, not to prepare for what was after. And there was this constant thought process that we won't make it. That there is no way we will ever succeed. The students believe this and most don't even think of a future that has college in it.

So when people would ask me "You go there?" I wouldn't let there tone or their surprise deter me or hurt the pride I felt for my school, because I know the realities of where I come from.