Black Student Union Raises Awareness on Campus
Greg Tomascheski, Staff Reporter
greg_tomascheski@csumb.edu
Feb.14, 2008
Every year during the month of February, Black Students United (BSU) at CSU Monterey Bay (CSUMB) organizes a multitude of events to celebrate Black History Month. BSU has been an active student organization on campus since 1995 and has been putting on events specifically for Black History Month since 2000.
“BSU is more than a club, it’s a family...” said vice president, Auvria Hampton, “I love helping out with events and reaching out to other Black students on campus.”
To begin the celebration of Black History Month, BSU hosted a rally in the main quad on Feb. 1, giving students an opportunity to learn about the club events planned for February as well as obtain information about BSU and other campus clubs. Events include an Open Forum discussion for students on Feb. 13, film displays on Feb. 7, 19, and 21, art representations by members of the Black community all month in the CSUMB library, and an assortment of special guest speakers including Thomas DeWolf on Feb. 20 and Jim Ellis on Feb. 21.
“Our main goal is to raise awareness about black culture…” said BSU president, Lauren Owens.
Chairman Fred Hampton Jr., political activist, was the first of many speakers to visit the CSUMB campus. He spoke at the University Center on Feb. 5 regarding struggle in the black community.
Hampton Jr. explained, “there are three ways people get involved with struggle; inspiration, aspiration and desperation.” His speaking provided an opportunity for the audience to get involved in an open discussion about the issues of cultural identity, racism, and morality.
“Coalitions are based on a common interest, whether it is positive or negative,” said Hampton Jr., “It’s important that all people understand this and are willing to help one another in a time of struggle.”
Hampton Jr. talked about his visits to parts of South America where humans live in extreme poverty due to marginalization with little or no resources to work with. Many of these people are however actively voicing their concerns, knowing they may face torture or execution.
He went on to discuss the importance of knowing how to identify honesty within the realm of politics, as well as honesty within oneself. He finished the lecture speaking of the difficult battle fought by The Black Panther Party to teach people about civil equality, fairness, and brotherly love.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, BSU encourages students to attend the Open Forum discussion at CSUMB in building 18 to talk about these and other issues pressing African-American youth and ask students to take action beyond simply discussing these issues.
“We’re here to plant the seed; it’s up to the students and the BSU to let it grow,” says Owens. “BSU can begin the process but to carry it on it has to be done by everybody.”