Today’s spotlight is a guy like no other. He is truly one of a kind and I have never been so thankful that our paths have crossed. From getting to know him on a personal level, I have a different perspective on who he is. I cannot begin to describe how amazing he is and what amazing things he will do with his life. I am so pleased to introduce to you all Matthew Chavers III.
Matthew Chavers III is nineteen years old and is a freshman at Saint Xavier University. Matthew currently plays baseball for SXU and will be playing football for them in the fall. However, he isn’t just good at sports; he is committed to putting his education first and making it a priority. In high school, Matthew continuously pushed himself and made the high honor roll. During his first semester of college, Matthew made the Dean’s List.
When I asked Matthew what Black History Month meant to him he said, “Black History Month, to me, has always sort of been an interesting month. It is usually the only time I find out history about African Americans, which is exciting but also disappointing. More than not, the things I learn come from social media and not so much from anything I’ve learned in high school or in my classes now.”
I asked Matthew what he wished people who aren’t Black Americans would know or understand. Matt had an amazing response saying, “I personally want people of other races to understand that all we want in life is to be treated like human beings. Racism is still alive in America. Yes, we have come so far but there is still a way to go. We are tired of being prejudged, discriminated, and profiled because of something we inevitably have no control over, the color of our skin.”
I asked Matthew what steps he thinks are needed in order to start a true shift towards equality in our nation. Matthew’s response was a little different from those whom I have spoken with already; he said, “I think that racism needs to be defined and it may sound silly but I think that racism should be illegal and should be a criminal act that can result in a fine or jail time. I feel that with freedom of speech and laws that protect property it is too easy for people to just continue to discriminate and be racist in certain ways.”
Racial discrimination is something that we have come so far on, but we have SO SO far to go. I asked Matthew if he felt comfortable discussing racial discrimination, as I, unfortunately, know all too well what he has experienced. Matthew explained, “I have experienced many forms of racial discrimination throughout my life. Today, as I have dreads, people assume I am in a gang, I have committed a crime, or I look like someone who has committed a crime. I have been told, ‘no way your name is Matthew, you’re black.’ A substitute teacher assumed I was in the wrong class in orchestra and said I stole the violin that I was renting from the school. When I tell people I play baseball they automatically assume I play outfield because ‘black people are faster.’ Also, people were surprised that I graduated high school with a 3.9 GPA and that I made the Dean’s List with a 4.0… because ‘they didn’t think I was smart.’” If anyone has ever met Matthew they would know he is far from the stereotypes; he is one of the most educated, kind hearted people that I know!
With that being said, I am so proud of the man Matthew is becoming; he is like a brother to me and I cannot wait to see where his future will take him. Anyone that has met Matthew knows that his smile is nothing short of contagious and his attitude will always brighten up a room. Thanks for everything Matt and here’s to the future!
