Written by Halle Miller
At the end of most Black Student Association (BSA) chapel announcements or on posters put up around campus from different events, the phrase “all are welcome” is usually included. Yet one of the questions I get asked most often is if non-Black people are welcome to attend BSA events. Also, if everyone is welcome, why is there a separate BSA from the SA? These questions are understandable, but the answers become exceedingly clear once you actually attend a BSA meeting or event. Black students are part of so many different sports teams, majors, social clubs and friend groups across campus. Yet when we all gather, with whoever wants to join us, something special happens. It is our choice to come to Harding, and though I cannot speak for everyone, many of the people that I have talked to love attending Harding. Yet, people have also expressed feeling alone or feeling like they cannot be fully themselves in different spaces on campus. Both of these things can be true. Though I do not feel like we have to justify our existence, having a space where even one student feels fully like they belong is justification enough.
The purpose of the BSA is to plan events that facilitate community, be a safe space, and uplift voices or perspectives that are not often heard, keeping students of colors particularly in mind. You may not understand the importance of gathering unless you have experienced being one of the only people, or the only person, who looks like you in the room. You may have seen the videos of children reacting with tears and pure joy at the trailer for the new Ariel movie. That reaction is understandable when you have felt unseen or boxed into being one certain thing based on the way that you look. Representation is vitally important and encouraging, and the BSA aims to provide those things. Oftentimes at BSA meetings we have conversations specifically pertaining to the Black experience, and we are able to connect over shared feelings or struggles. We support each other, uplift each other and validate that we are not alone.
The BSA exists because the Black experience is real and different. The idea of “colorblindness” is not helpful. Recent rhetoric I have heard, often from people trying to be inclusive, is that race doesn’t exist, because we are all part of one human race. This is a nice talking point and has some element of truth but is easy to say when you are part of the majority. When your race is the standard in beauty, in media representation and in positions of authority, it is far easier to say that there is no race than when you feel the impact of racism both systematically and interpersonally. Recognition of differences and disparity is essential. Offense does not come in the recognition of difference, but in being treated differently because of those differences. We cannot progress toward a society of justice and equality if we can’t even openly acknowledge the role that race has played historically and today in this country.
While the Black experience is specific, all people have felt in some way that they don’t belong or that the odds were stacked against them. Anyone who can empathize, is willing to listen and wants to learn is welcome to attend anything. Also, anyone who wants to have fun can come to an event. The BSA plans events to just hang out, play basketball, watch a movie, have a devo or just be surrounded by people who want to be together, laugh and be themselves in a space free of judgment. Don’t be afraid to join in. The BSA is not a place where you need to walk on eggshells or worry about saying exactly the right thing. Just your presence, no matter who you are, is encouraging and needed.
We are not an exclusive group. When we say all are welcome, we mean it.
