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Dear Diana,

I’d like to share with you a brief snippet from one of my classes.

“We cannot ignore the rampant sexism and misogyny in his music,” one student offered.

“How he talks about race and class is sometimes very problematic and complicates our definition of a ‘conscious rapper,’” another noted.

“So what, then, accounts for his remarkable appeal across racial, class and gender lines?” I pressed the class.

“He is an artistic genius!” a student declared, with a hint of frustration.

And so continued our discussion of Kanye West’s significance in contemporary American culture and his place in the growing corporatization of hip-hop.

Lively exchanges such as this were a regular occurrence in the “Hip-Hop History and Culture” class I taught during the spring semester. A brief glance at my faculty profile might make you wonder why I was teaching a class on hip-hop; I specialize in African-American military history, and my recent book focused on the experience of black soldiers in World War I. The fact is, I have always been connected to hip-hop and for quite some time had contemplated teaching a class on the subject. When I arrived at Brandeis in 2012, after teaching for several years at another institution, I was pleased to discover that not only was there a strong demand for such a class but also I would have the opportunity and creative space to pursue this longstanding interest.

This type of freedom is the norm at Brandeis, and it is part of what makes Brandeis such a special place. It is a university that allows you to be yourself, to fully explore your interests and cultivate them into the foundation upon which you will build your future career. It is also a university that allows you to find yourself, to take a broad array of courses and experiment with different subjects until you discover the combination that fits who you are and who you want to be. You will have the opportunity to learn from faculty who are experts in their respective fields and are committed to translating that expertise into the classroom. At the same time, you will be part of a remarkable community of students who will both inspire and challenge you to maximize your intellectual capabilities.

What has impressed me the most about Brandeis is the passion of its students. Every day I have the pleasure and privilege of interacting with students, inside and outside the classroom, who have a seemingly unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Most inspiring, Brandeis students want to have the tools to translate their knowledge into tangible social change in order to make our world a better place.

Thinking about college can be an overwhelming process. I still vividly remember wading through stacks of college brochures and having little idea about what I wanted to do. But this process can also be incredibly exciting. At Brandeis, you have the opportunity to take your natural gifts and talents to another level and become part of a global community of students, scholars and lifelong learners spanning nearly every profession imaginable.

No other university can match what Brandeis has to offer. Brandeis’ academic, social, cultural and political energy is truly infectious. Once you set foot on campus, you will feel welcomed and embraced. Indeed, as a relatively new member of the faculty, I have found a home at Brandeis. I hope that you will consider making Brandeis your home as well.

Sincerely,


Chad Williams
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of African and Afro-American Studies
Brandeis University