On Friday, Aug. 23, Manual’s Black Student Union (BSU) restarted their weekly meetings. This week, with her team of board members, club president Jamaria Gardner (12, HSU) led the members in a club-wide discussion of boundaries and acceptance.
BSU is a club centered on the enhancement of the educational experience of Black students, promotion of inclusivity within the community and addressing issues of racial inequity and injustice.
Members joined in an hour long discussion about boundaries, as well as a presentation of videos that prompted conversation within the club. One video displayed a man explaining that true loyalty in a relationship isn’t possible without cheating once or twice. This spurred many members to raise their hands and voice their take on the controversial subject. Another video showcased the struggle of setting boundaries with parents.
Additionally, BSU’s board emphasized the importance of school-wide acceptance and that anyone can partake in the events of their club. In past years, BSU wasn’t perceived as a club for everyone, particularly those outside of the Black student body.
“We welcome anyone who may be interested. We talk about issues within the black community and society, kind of give people somewhere safe to be,” Gardner said.
BSU gives students a platform to uplift their voices, influence policies and engage administration in their efforts for change. For example, they advocate for the inclusion of Black students in school events, promote civic engagement and seek greater representation in county-wide school board decisions. They also regularly participate in activities outside of school, like going to the movies and visiting museums.
“My favorite part of BSU is getting to connect with people similar to me about topics we might share experiences with,” said Jasmine Smith (11, HSU).
Manual’s Black Student Union was the first one established in JCPS and is the largest in Kentucky. Despite their success, the club still faces challenges that they wish to overcome.
“I think the biggest hurdle is proving we are an inclusive group,” said club sponsor Mr. John Palmer.
While the large majority of BSU is made up of Black members, they are constantly trying to diversify the club population. Awaiting the start of BSU’s first meeting, Dr. Michael Newman, Manual’s principal, announced their meeting place and time during the morning announcements, explaining that it was available for all students.
“We’re not a radicalized group. We welcome anyone to our meetings and make sure that they are represented equally,” said Gardner.
BSU meets after school every Friday from 2:20 to 3:20 p.m. in the auditorium or senior cafeteria. All students are welcome, and they are always open to new members.
