Like many of those who work for racial justice, I spent a large part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday reflecting on the work I do to promote justice in the world around me.

Like many others on Loyola’s campus, justice and service work are closely connected.

Unfortunately, I concluded that some of the service work in which I participate leaves much to be desired in terms of justice.

One example of this is Loyola’s Big Brothers/Big Sisters Collaborative. I think I get more out of this work than the child visited.

I get to spend an hour with a cute, funny kid once a week, and am well aware that my participation with Big Brothers/Big Sisters will be a positive addition to any resume or application.

But how is my work with this child benefiting and empowering him, both now and in the future?

I cannot relate to his life beyond a very basic level.

Ultimately, I will graduate in another year, and he will be stuck in the New Orleans Public School System.

That said, I go to his school once a week, for an hour, and expect, and am told, that it is changing his life.

As disappointing as it is, I am playing a role that reeks of traditional white racism, as does Loyola.

My attitude and work is condescending.

If I show him how great my life is, and if he works hard enough, surely he will end up where I am in another 10 years, right?

Data shows that this outcome is not very likely.

In fact, one third of black males my age are currently connected to the criminal justice system, and this number is expected to increase.

This fact is not always due to the criminal tendencies of black men, but to the injustices inherent in institutions like criminal justice and education.

So as a white college student, what do I say to this child to ensure a different fate for him? Most likely, there is nothing I can say.

I have to work institutionally to change barriers like the criminal justice system.

On the individual level at which Big Brothers/Big Sisters works, all I can do is be honest with him, approach our relationship from an anti-racist point of view, and remember that I receive considerable benefits from our relationship.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters is one of the largest organizations on our campus, and I feel that the work that we do is important.

I simply respectfully request that in addition to service, we maintain honesty, anti-racism, and the pursuit of justice in the work that we do.