Black studies dept. resolution passes

 The Loch Raven room was filled Tuesday night as the Student Government Association debated the resolution brought forth by the Black Student Union, which asked for the SGA’s support in establishing a black studies department at Towson.

After an hour and 20 minutes of discussion, the SGA passed the resolution with a vote of 15-7 with no abstentions. This resolution does not actually put the department into practice, but officially states that the SGA will assist the BSU in the completion of their goal.

Although the resolution passed, the Senate voted to remove four paragraphs from the “Need/Background” section of the resolution which, according to the report from the Government Operations Committee, made claims without evidentiary support. Adam Jackson, the president of Brotherhood: Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle and a BSU member, addressed the Senate, stating that he wished to “voice a frustration” over this assertion.

“Any further research is unnecessary if the Black Student Union, the largest group on Towson’s campus [and] the biggest constituency of people of color at Towson University, is coming to the SGA. That’s the ‘research’,” he said.

“If anyone wants to talk about demand [for the department], the fact that you’re holding this resolution in your hand and discussing it is all the research you need.”

The SGA also raised concern over a clause that would “give its unconditional support” for the next five years toward the creation of the black studies department.

“So many things can happen in five years, and I just don’t know [about] passing a resolution that is saying our organization is going to do whatever it takes to… see this initiative follow through,” senator Nicole Kazanecki said during the meeting. “What happens if it doesn’t happen in five years?”

Though there are other references to a five-year plan within the document, the SGA amended only the phrase from “give its unconditional support” to “participate in the development.”

This amendment removed some of the SGA’s obligation to the resolution, but still keeps the founding

of the department on a five-year plan.

Jackson said he would be content with the SGA’s decision if it were a “make or break” factor in how they would vote on the resolution as a whole.

“I think that amendment is fine if that’s what people are uncomfortable with,” he said.

“But I want to make sure people keep in mind that that’s what you’re voting for: to participate in helping the BSU.”

SGA president Jon Graf said that he was pleased to see such a good turnout from interested students and voiced his willingness to listen to all students on campus.

“It felt good to finally get some action taken on [this resolution],” he said.

“The average student should know that students came to the SGA with a concern, worked on it formally, worked with administration, and the SGA is supporting those students and is committed to working with students.”

Comments

5 comments

Your name

Sun Nov 8 2009 04:26

I'm confused, Adam Jackson is definitely light-skinned, this seems to rebut the argument of the first poster who says Adam thinks that anyone that doesn't have his complexion is white, as if his skin tone would be some sort of devastatingly exclusive standard for non-white authenticity. Basically, even within the warped logic of the original poster, their assertions still don't make any sense. But see then I go on to say that the original assumption that Adam uses his skin color as a litmus test for desirable politics is absurd in the first place, so I'm not sure why you're scolding me with facts about how Adam doesn't care about complexion as some sort of be-all end-all determining characteristic. Yes, I agree, this is accurate... and also my argument against the stupidity of the first poster. The fact that non-black students are interested in a black studies department imbues positive value in what the BSU is doing, I don't get what part of my post isn't an affirmation and defense of the BSU's recent successes. Maybe my sole focus on attacking the dumbness of the first post obfuscated the fact that I think a black studies department is a good idea, the BSU is doing a good job and Adam Jackson is cool, but I think you may have jumped the gun in assuming I'm just another random hater/spectator.

Advocate for something, You spectator!!!

Sat Nov 7 2009 21:05

I don't understand why there is so much attack against the BSU for advocating for a department. TU is an institution of higher learning--why not be open to the department, as supported by one of the biggest clubs on campus?

And who are you to call Adam Jackson anything? Whether or not you disagree, because you were "educated away from the fruit stand", that doesn't mean that you have any right to label him a bigot. And you seem to be focusing on his light-skinned complexion more than he focused on the complexion of the majority of this campus in the article. Don't be a hypocrite. And if other non-black students are interested, but aren't doing anything, like speaking to the SGA, then applaud BSU by making it apart of their goals.

What have you done to further the education of someone other than yourself?

huhwut?

Thu Nov 5 2009 12:58

Lol, if a light-skinned dude like Adam Jackson is the litmus test for the complexion of being down then I'm pretty sure not many non-white folk have to worry about being excluded. That's assuming the ridiculous presupposition that the way this works is that Adam looks at his arm, looks at the person he's talking to, glances back again, and then makes a decision based on that what kind of politics the person has. Finally, it's more than just black folk interested in a black studies department, just like everyone taking French here isn't from Paris. Perhaps before you accuse someone of being a bigot you should get yourself and education, if for no other reason than statements like "under his plain and accusations" make something close to less than zero sense.

Educated Away From the Fruit Stand

Thu Nov 5 2009 12:55

Lol, if a light-skinned dude like Adam Jackson is the litmus test for the complexion of being down then I'm pretty sure not many non-white folk have to worry about being excluded. That's assuming the ridiculous presupposition that the way this works is that Adam looks at his arm, looks at the person he's talking to, glances back again, and then makes a decision based on that what kind of politics the person has. Finally, it's more than just black folk interested in a black studies department, just like everyone taking French here isn't from Paris. Perhaps before you accuse someone of being a bigot you should get yourself and education, if for no other reason than statements like "under his plain and accusations" make something close to less than zero sense.

Your name

Thu Nov 5 2009 02:27

Adam Jackson is a bigot plain and simple and unless you dont have his skin tone you are considered white under his plain and accusations

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