There are more black men in prison than in college in the U.S., according to a recent study by the Justice Policy Institute.
Former UOSA vice president Vincent Winston has vowed to become the antidote of the rising epidemic of more black males behind bars than behind college desks.
“Out of my graduating class of Douglass High School, I am the only one still in college. I will be the only one getting my degree,” said Winston, public affairs administration senior.
His path to student body vice president “was a long and interesting road,” he said.
There were many life-altering obstacles Winston had to overcome, he said, particularly seeing his family go through drug addiction and not being able to provide him with the things he needed.
“I never want my kids to go through what I went through,” Winston said. “Watching my family begin to age is a constant reminder of how important it is to take care of yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and financially at an early age.”
Winston grew up without a mother and a father. He was reared by his grandmother and aunt, and he believes that shaped him into the man he is today.
“Because of the absence of my parents I put more trust in God, who became my literal father,” he said. “He always sent people into my life to take care of me.”
Last year, Winston received a phone call from Amanda Holloway, asking him to become her running mate for the 2008-2009 UOSA election. Hollaway and Winston were in the same Presidential Leadership course.
Winston said he hadn’t been a part of UOSA before, so that became the platform of their campaign theme, “A Fresh Start.”
“It was evident from our previous leadership roles that we could handle UOSA,” he said. “We wanted to offer the student body something new and go back to UOSA being the voice of the students.”
Winston said the biggest hurdle he endured was being scrutinized by the public eye. As a major student leader, he had to conduct himself properly wherever he went, he said.
During Winston’s time at OU, he has served in many leadership roles in different organizations across campus. One that he particularly prides himself on is as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.
“I was drawn to our organization’s strong sense of family and unity,” Winston said.
He said he chose this organization over others because of the strong leadership and respect exuded by the members.
Raymond Rushing, a fellow member of the fraternity, speaks highly of Winston.
“His future is limitless. He loves serving people and he knows how to work hard,” Rushing said.
Rushing remembers a time when Winston worked three jobs, yet still maintained good grades.
“Whatever Vince puts his mind to will happen. His determination and passion is un-matched by anyone I’ve come in contact with,” Rushing said.
Winston said he follows the advice he was given by so many people he admires.
“Follow your heart in whatever you decide to do, and don’t let people make decisions for you, just continue to walk in the path that you know is right,” he said.
He hopes this path will one day lead him to campaign for U.S. senator.
“Public office is my life-calling,” he said. “Everything about the role of being able to help people has always been appealing to me.”
He plans to focus his career in public office on advocacy for education of all kinds.
“Education is the key to any success in life, but we can’t be close-minded in thinking that education means a college degree,” he said. “A trade is a proper form of education as well.”
Those close to Winston also predict his political career will extend far beyond OU.
“Vince will be senator one day,” Rushing said. “He will show the next generation that it doesn’t matter where you come from — it matters where you’re going, and he is headed in the right direction.”
The Oklahoma Daily is pleased to provide you the opportunity to share your thoughts about this article. We encourage lively debate on the issues of the day, but we ask you refrain from using profanity or other offensive speech, engaging in personal attacks or name-calling, posting advertising, or straying from the topic at hand. To comment, you must be a registered user of OUDaily.com. Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts.
You must be logged in to leave a comment. Log in | Register
TheTroll 2 years, 3 months ago
Great article!