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MC’s Empowering BSU

One of the great gifts that human beings were given is the ability to tell stories. Through sharing stories, audiences are bound together by an emotional attachment and the opportunity to learn something new about their storytellers. The Black Student Union (BSU) was once again formed this year at MC after a long hiatus from the campus; supplying a place for many to share their stories. The club hosts regular discussions about various topics including people’s experiences with discrimination, ways to further the club, and what the school is doing right in terms of social inclusion.

BSU Club Photo | Photo Courtesy of Sky Montgomery

“It is a space where people could come and talk about their struggles and the future,” senior member Terreon Chunn said.

The importance of what the BSU represents and what it hopes to accomplish was not lost on senior and Club President Sky Montgomery either. 

“For most of my schooling all the way from kindergarten I was the only black kid in most of my classes and it’s really hard to relate to someone when no one looks like you,” Montgomery said, “So it was important to me to create a space where kids of African American/Black descent could come together and discuss issues that we go through every day as underrepresented students.”

MC has almost 2,000 students in the student body, but Montgomery was quick to inform that the total percentage of blacks is minuscule in comparison. 

“It’s only about 2.5% of our school’s population so you could imagine how isolating it can feel sometimes,” said Montgomery.

The BSU hopes to alleviate some of that isolation allowing many to express themselves and pursue their goals at the BSU’s weekly meetings. 

“As a black student, I’ve never been in a class with more than 4 other black students so I think it’s important to have an environment on campus where you can find lots of other students who look like you that you can connect with,” senior and club Vice President Fru Ndifor said. 

BSU Club Discussions | Photo Courtesy of Sky Montgomery

One of the club’s biggest events this year has been their promotion and involvement with Black History Month during February. 

“We put together all of the black history month posters that were around [the] school,” Montgomery said.

For the BSU, the promotion of these famous African Americans has been imperative as more often than not, these individuals and their culture are not represented in schools as they should be.

“I’ve never had a black teacher or school administrator and neither have most of the people in our club. It really is difficult to imagine yourself achieving something great or doing your best when there is no one of your demographic you can look up to or who understands your social situation and background,” Montgomery said. 

Empowerment is key as all the members try to build each other up. Since many feel society isn’t doing enough to promote them, many BSU members take it upon themselves to motivate each other.

“It’s really all about supporting each other in a community where many people don’t expect much from you and it’s easy to be pushed aside,” Montgomery said.

The BSU helps grant a voice to those that have felt more commonly disregarded and promotes the idea that regardless of who you are and where you came from, your goals, aspirations, and stories are no less worthy than any others.

Written by Colin O'Malley

Colin O'Malley is a senior at Mt. Carmel and in charge of the Entertainment section of The Sun.

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