Black Table

11/21/2024

Those in the minority – no matter what the defining trait associated with that might be – often find comfort, support and camaraderie in the company of kindred spirits when surrounded by others who don’t share this commonality. For African-American students at Yale University in the 1990s, this could be found at “the Black Table,” a gathering spot for those similarly situated within Commons, the university’s legendary cavernous dining hall, a venue resembling a setting out of the “Harry Potter” movies. The Black Table served as an oasis for students of color in the midst of a predominantly White (and not always particularly tolerant) student body, a place where they could share ideas, swap stories, engage in discussions (sometimes heated) and find common ground. The experiences of students