Black Student Union reflects on history

As Black History Month comes to an end, the Black Student Union (BSU) reflects on the meaning behind the month and its importance at the UW.

According to BSU President Anthony Rose, "It is a time where, as a whole, we can be proud of the progress that has been made by African Americans overall."

The progress Black History Month has made is definitely worth celebrating, according to Rose. It started out as just a thought, then to being Black History Week and now to a whole month.

The month holds extra significance for the UW because of historical events. The most crucial of these events is May 20, 1968.

"May 20 -- that was the day," said Rose.

May 20, 1968, is the day when the BSU staged a sit-in at the office of then UW President Charles Odegaard to demand more minority recruitment and funding. The success of this sit-in led to the creation of a black studies curriculum and funding for a variety of minority programs, including the Ethnic Cultural Center.

This day is continually celebrated and remains crucial, according to Rose, as it shows the change that can be made when people come together.

"It's a day to say 'wake up,'" said Rose. "To just show that we can get together and combine is something strong within itself."

The group demonstrated this past May when it staged a commemoration to the event by entering the UW president's office unannounced to observe five minutes of silence.

This year, for Black History Month, the group has put on movie nights, events at the IMA, forums at its weekly meetings and, in combination with the Black Student Commission, a Valentine's Day dance.

These events were hosted by BSU to get more people involved. According to Rose, February is a time to get together and celebrate the expanding influence of black culture.

"People are learning more and understanding more," he said.

The events also helped the group in its journey toward reaching the ultimate goal.

"Our main goal for Black History Month is just getting people to be more proactive," said Rose.

That, according to Rose, is getting people to realize that black history is what they make it, and they don't have to be confined to just one month.

BSU member Grace Chenesai Vela agrees.

"Black history should be taught 12 months of the year," she said. "We shouldn't wait until February to address concern on issues, but if we have to make it stronger to America during February, that is when the rest of the American media is looking, that is when they are paying attention to black issues, so maybe it is still a good month to use it as a sounding board."