Mesa State College’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) is working with the History Department to assess the possibility of creating a lower division elective class in African American history, and making awareness a top priority on campus.
February’s Black History Month originated with Harvard Scholar Carter G. Woodson. He dedicated his life’s to ensuring black history to be accurately documented and disseminated. Woodson supposedly chose February because of the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two icons in black history.
The BSA has taken a hit from last semester with the loss of their vice president and four strong influences within the club. They also currently have no advisor.
“I am originally from Maryland, where there’s a more diverse population and Black History Month is a huge deal there,” said president Leigh Brandt. “Most of my assigned reading in my English classes were novels by black authors like Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright and Toni Morrison. These readings furthered my knowledge and passion for Black History, and I was saddened when I moved here and realized that not many students here have had the opportunity to be enlightened with the same teachings in their high schools, or even at Mesa.”
While the stigmata of racism could be an issue anywhere, it does not need to be an issue at MSC. Vice President of Student Services John Marshall deals with under represented students and minorities.
“I want students to know that BSA is an organization to turn to if anyone suffers some racial injustice, and we are happy to escort students to John Marshall’s office to rectify any racial issues,” Brandt said.
Even though the BSA strives to keep things light, education is one of the key components in their aim for an equal student alliance. On Feb. 23, MSC History Professor Erica Jackson will give a lecture about the rationale for the creation of affirmative action.
Affirmative action has roughly been described as the way that minorities are given extra support into a higher educational system. This lecture will be held in room 104 of the Academic Classroom Building at 5:30 p.m.
“It is a controversial topic because it is perceived as minorities getting into college or getting jobs solely because they are minorities, which is viewed as unfair,” Brandt said. “We invite you to come discover the setting in which this policy was put in place.”
On Feb. 24, BSA will host their Significant Month dinner at the College Center, with a surprise menu and student performers.
“The purpose of BSA is to promote the black culture through the campus and the community,” said Brandt.
For more information on BSA, contact Brandt at lbrandt@mesastate.edu or go to their weekly meetings every Thursday in room 224 of the College Center at 5 p.m. You can also add “BSA Mesa State” on Facebook.
The BSA is also actively seeking a vice president, which is a paid leadership position. For more information, contact the Director of Student Life, Bree Meier in room 217E of the College Center.
u
remadrid@mesastate.edu