Ever since the “Deverick Murray Era” began, BSU has sunk lower than ever before. As far as having a black/Africana studies department, I agree with President Caret. If there is a demand for it, then it would be a good investment. When I attended a BSU meeting this semester, Deverick asked a group of about 55 to 60 black students if they would major or minor in black/Africana studies. A grand total of three individuals raised their hands! You would think the whole congregation would be out of their seats for the question, and yet they still wonder why the full major was changed to a minor in 2002. I just don’t agree with starting a new department, which would be costly, so black students who aren’t even interested in it could be happy. Also, to clear up the big misconception that BSU has, black/Africana studies cannot teach me about myself. As a black student, I did not choose Towson because I wanted someone to try to teach me about who I am. The “black experience” cannot be taught! That is the equivalent to saying all black people are the same. I thought we were trying to get away from that. I’m sorry, but a series of courses cannot teach anyone about my value and importance.
Another problem I have with BSU is the fact that they try to present themselves as diversity advocates. Excuse me, but having a campus with white and black students does not scream diverse. Diversity is not a race issue. True diversity incorporates all people. Student groups like Caribbean Students Association, Korean Students Association, LGBT, the Jewish community, the Muslim community, LASO, and many others play a dynamic role in Towson’s diversity. Stop thinking it is all about black students.
As far as racism goes, BSU is the racist group on campus. You are the ones who separate yourselves from the Towson community as if you are better than the rest of us. Yes, racism does exist on campus but you guys overdo your claims. If a white person does not hold the door open for you, they are racist. If the walkways are filled and a white person bumps into you, they are racist. Earth to BSU, more black people let the door close in my face than white people do. If a white person bumps me, most of the time they say “sorry” or “excuse me.” It is the black students that look me up and down like I am the one at fault. Stop confusing rudeness with racism!
I have one question. Why did you not attend a historically black school since you feel so outnumbered and devalued at a “white” school? I am sure you noticed it was predominantly white when you sent in your enrollment fee. There is Morgan, Coppin, Bowie, Howard, Norfolk State, Hampton, Virginia State, and other HBCU’s in this geographic area. Please get a grip! BSU, you are constantly trying to make yourselves look like victims. Sadly, you are victims to your own ignorance.
Kay Rawls
Junior
mass communication
Featured Letter to the Editor
Published: Sunday, November 1, 2009
Updated: Sunday, November 1, 2009
6 comments
Your name
as a black student... now you see why i dont attend the bsu meetings... full of ignorant people that forgot why they go to school... and spend every waking hour in the bsu office instead of going to class or the library and blame their bad grades on so called "racist" teachers and wonder why they get bad grades... wake the heck up... u guys are making me ashamed that black people have to stoop so low as to call a university that is providing them the opportunity to have better lives for themselves a "white power" school.... stop bytching and get a damn degree so u dont have to be a "slavery under white privilege" ... then go where ever u please so u dont have to worry about towson anymore....and adam jackson is a racist dude...
Rea Lity-Check
I applaud Kay for standing up and speaking out for a serious concern that is shared campus-wide among students of all backgrounds. The greatest irony surrounds the fact that many students involved in the “Deverick Murray Regime” have in fact received scholarships--if not full-rides--from the very University that they claim has perpetuated their sense of victimization. This kind of vanity leads to a sense of entitlement among Deverick and many of his followers to certain privileges above all others. They demand these special privileges, and yet they claim their goal is equality…can anyone else spot the paradox? My point is everyone is fighting a battle, whether that means a struggle against racial or sexual discrimination, religious persecution, et cetera; however, a battle does not merit its own educational department, and more importantly, slander against others. Anyone who has heard the saying “two wrongs don’t make a right” knows that an “activist” like Adam Jackson who slanders white people does not make him any more high and mighty than the ignoramus who leaves racial slurs on a whiteboard. In fact, to the student who has had little exposure to racial diversity in their lifetime, people like Deverick and Adam will continue to perpetuate a negative stereotype, unless they learn to take a more diplomatic and civil approach in pursuing their endeavors.Finally, a note to Kay’s commentators: in order for your arguments to be considered credible A) make sure you support your arguments with statements and facts, not a series of questions and B) don't forget to proofread your work; otherwise the lack thereof seriously undermines your intelligence (and for the tuition you are either paying or being reimbursed for at this ‘tyrannical/racist’ university, I would hope that you got your money’s worth for the ENGL 102 GenEd course we all take freshman year).
Bedig
I am so proud of my little sister Helen!!
black TU student
I tihnk u should attend some more meetings it bigger than that
Helen Osun,
Though there are some valid points, I would like to stress the key parts in what both the letter and comment is missing. Instead of blaiming BSU as a whole for "invoking fear" and "racist", why can't we say there are a few members who do that. (not saying that they do). Because right now, you are saying every black person associated with BSU "invoke fear" and our racist. And if I may ask, how do they do these things? How does an organization evoke fear? Maybe you haven't noticed but there are serious cases of racial incidents that shouldnt be happening in our time and should be addressed. I am a black woman who has lived in Scarborough for a whole year and had to deal with ignorance, quiet racism, as well as sterotypes but never attended to a BSU meeting. I do not need to be in BSU to agree with some of the things they do. There are times I do believe that BSU has over emphasized certain issues but I do believe that Towson University has insitutionalized racism. However, I dont blame the University because they are only a representation of the people that attend. And that is where our problem lies. Its not a black and white issue. Its not Jews verses Christians. Its the way we think. For example in the Towerlight, they asked a person what they were going to be for Halloween? The person replies, "a lumberjack or a Latin American". No one has said anything about that! But how can you dress up as a Latin American? That is an ignorant statement. That type of thinking has got to be addressed! So here are a couple of things I have a problem with your letter: So, how come you didn't attend an HBCU? So every black person on the Towson campus has "looked you up and down" or even bump into you and not say excuse me or sorry? So every white person has? And are you implying only whites and blacks do this? So every black person who goes to an HBCU wanted to in order to avoid going to a "white school"? So when you see racial slurs it doesnt faze you? Or when you hear someone call another person the N-word its ok?When there are jokes about your race just because of media's perceptions or stereotypes it doesnt faze you? Did you ever get ask how many times you wash your hair, and then you are looked at differently because you dont say everyday? Does it seem weird, how they automatically assumed you many not have a father or know who your father is? You dont react when teachers tell you that you are very articulate? You never noticed that SGA which is Student Government Association, really does not represent all of the students who go to TU. My point is, there is no clear cut answer. BSU is a student organization of people not just of one! You can't blame the organization or stereotyped them into one little box with the title, racist on it. We are hear to gain knowledge and a better insight of the world and we have to addressed certain issues. So maybe BSU does it differently and we dont have to agree but the point is we all have an innate need to Combat Ignorance.
concerned individual
Thank you so much for saying what you have said. I feel like so many white people wanted to say this, but were scared out of fear of being considered racist. It is sad that the BSU has been able to blockade communication by invoking fear in all people who aren't of color. I hope this is eye opening to them. I have faith that their priorites will begin to shift from making themselves be considered the outsiders, to instead, put color aside, and to enjoy the opportunities this university has to offer.
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