Black history presents a lot of educational awareness in the month of February, but makes an impact every day of the year to students all over campus.
February is honorably made to celebrate black lives and black history. Black History Month is celebrated differently all over the country and Colorado Mesa University’s Black Student Alliance (BSA) is celebrating our students of color especially. The BSA coordinators of the club, junior Political Science major Mahlet Mamo and sophomore Radiology major Anastaja Braden are two wonderful ladies who are passionate about their culture and spreading more awareness on our campus and in the community.
The BSA is a student run club on campus made to educate people on black culture and history but also to create a safe place for students of color to create a Mavily on campus. According to Mamo’s knowledge, BSA has been a student club on campus for over 20 years. Record of the club in binders as a memorial with photos for black history and students in the club from 20 years ago.
“Now, we are trying to create a space for black students on campus so they can feel comfortable to be themselves and learn about their culture more,” said Braden while explaining what the purpose of this club is now.
The idea and importance of this club is so members and students feel comfortable and educated about their culture and identity.
“To be proud of themselves and to be proud of their culture and their history,” Mamo said to the conversation about why this club is so important to campus.
As BSA is apart of the Cultural Inclusion Council, where each club hosts events around campus the month they are represented. February is their month for black lives and history. Mamo and Braden are excited for the events they are planning on campus and want anyone and everyone to come celebrate their culture with them.
Although, black history month is awesome to spread the awareness of what black people in history did to get to where we are today, but Mamo made it a point to wish it didn’t have to be recognized only one month of the year.
“I do wish that we were acknowledging people of color in general throughout the year […] it’s bittersweet,” Mamo said as she was describing how black history month makes an impact on her.
“I’m excited to celebrate our culture, I’m also aware that there’s a lot of people who are not with us that don’t get to celebrate and that there is so much more work to be done,” Mamo said.
This comment represents what Black History Month means. Since the events going on from last year to today, now is the time to spread awareness and see progression.
Opportunities are available to celebrate Black History Month with the BSA all month long. A movie night was put on Feb. 12 and following on Feb. 16, BSA partnered with the Sustainability Council for the Environmental Racism Forum. The last of these events, on Feb. 26, “Wild N Out” is a game show style event which celebrates black culture.
