The purpose of every Black Student Union is clear: to promote cultural and educational benefits for the African-American student body. It is to create an atmosphere that provides political, social, and spiritual growth for aspiring African-American college students who want to seek change after graduation. Trust me, it isn’t a club that complains about how bad white people are or to obnoxiously abuse the phrase “black power”. I should know, considering I am part of a Black Student Union in Penn State Harrisburg. I’ve joined this organization during my junior year, unknowing what would really go down. I have never been part of a club for more than two months, but there was something about this Black Student Union that made me stay for more than a year. In a time where police brutality has overstepped its boundaries, politicians overlooking minority-filled communities (until Election Day that is) and xenophobic citizens, it couldn’t have been a better time for me to join Black Student Union.

Whenever I go to a meeting, I am always excited to know what we’re going to plan that day. The atmosphere of talented and proud students who want to seek change, always fills the room every time we meet up. It is a refreshing moment in which everyone is together, exchanging ideas, sharing laughs and getting to know each other. At the end of the day, the goal is to establish growth and a sense of unity inside and outside of our meetings. A few days ago, we all gathered together to honor those who have fallen to police brutality. We dressed up in all black, gathered together in campus and had a moment of silence, followed by prayer. We held hands and raised our fists into the sky, signifying our pleas for peace and justice for those who have neither. It was something straight out of a Civil-Rights themed movie. In that moment of pure humanity, I understood the awesome influence of BSUs. It gave me character, a good purpose in which inspired me to grow as human being.

I’m going to be honest with you, my dear reader. As a black man, witnessing videos and pictures of African-Americans getting abused or shot at by police is a frightening situation. It makes me understand my own mortality, and that it could be cut short all because of my skin color. At times, I feel alienated in America, even though I am a citizen and I love my country. It is a horrible feeling, and I know that I am not the only one who feels this way. Countless other black kids just like me feel sort of left out and upset at the way things are currently. Which is why so many cheer on for Black Lives Matter, support those like Colin Kaepernick, and get involved in the community. Thanks to Black Student Union, I’m no longer afraid, but confident that unity and brotherly love will conquer all. It just takes time for things to get into place.

Photo credit goes to Jelani Splawn