On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Colorado Mesa University (CMU)’s own Black Student Alliance (BSA) and Latino Student Alliance (LSA) put their own spin on “Wild n’ Out,” the famed MTV show that brought us some great Nick Cannon moments.
The concept seemed intriguing and sure to bring some good energy, so I decided to cover it. However, aside from BSA co-coordinator Sanaa Nugent and LSA co-coordinators Mateo Gaytan and Lupita Santiago, I was the only attendee. Mavs, what’s going on?
This placed me in a journalistic conundrum. What could I report on with no acts to interview and no classic “Wild n’ Out,” freestyles to highlight? This led me to interview the co-coordinators on the trials and tribulations that come with running an organization on campus, especially a Black and Latino Student Alliance at CMU.
“I feel like we could all use a bit more publicity, because we all have good ideas,” Nugent said, gesturing to Mateo, “[Like], the Día De Los Muertos events! LSA was doing most of the promotion for that.”
It is also a struggle to get attendance at meetings, though it’s hard to say whether that is because of the busy schedules of students, a lack of awareness or if people feel like they can’t be bothered to get out of their comfort zone.
“Last semester, we were having problems with attendance, we even put out a poll to try to know when the best time to have the meetings would be,” Nugent said. “Now, we decided to not hold meetings, and try to put on events only.”
Had any glory-seeking competitors decided to show up and test their chops in front of the “Wild n’ Out” judges and one journalist, Nugent was planning on giving them an instrumental off of the newest Metro Boomin’ record for them to freestyle or karaoke over, or whatever their hearts desired.
Though the turnout was disappointing, this event was only meant to be the qualifying round for a final big show on Feb. 17. We tossed around the concept of changing the advertised event to a simple, free for all open mic night. Would that get your attention, Mavs?
Keep an eye out all February for events being put on by BSA and CMU for Black History Month–you could learn something and meet new people!
