What do we learn about Doc's past in Part I?

In Part I, we learn that Doc was the only person of color in his school, until he transferred in 10th grade. After transferring, Doc felt as if he were caught between two worlds.... a world in which the black students expected him to know black culture, and the white students who expected him to be more black. We also learn that while he was in grad school, his advisor didn't like him because he had an afro and corn rows. His advisor's opinion, however, didn't matter, as he persevered and got his doctorate anyway.