BSU: Open to everyone

Whitworth’s Black Student Union is back. After a brief hiatus, four students have revitalized Whitworth’s BSU with the intention of creating a community that black students can truly be unfiltered in, and one where students of any color can come to share their experiences

Now 15 students strong, Whitworth’s BSU is determined to attract students of all color and background. When asked what students of other races should know about the BSU, Secretary and Co-Founder Ephesia Williams said “That they can totally come and they’re invited”. Williams went on to say that “It’s a space where people can come and be their true selves, be unfiltered. We can have those discussions that people run away from, and have them openly”.

According to Whitworth’s 2016 “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” pamphlet only 20 percent of the student body is comprised of minorities. Whitworth has committed to increasing that number by recruiting more diverse students, yet the Whitworthian reported on the results of the Fall 2015 ASWU Constituents survey, which stated that 22 percent of students associated the word “diversity” with words like “white shaming”, “white guilt”, and “negative connotations”. Read the full article here: http://www.thewhitworthian.com/diversity-broadening-the-spectrum/.

The Whitworth BSU’s emphasis on the value of diverse perspectives, and commitment to maintaining an open dialogue on race issues may provide the safe space necessary for students to explore diversity. In fact, the BSU has plans in the works for multiple events intended to bring students together to discuss the way their race and culture effects their lives.

Students of any background or color that wish to join the BSU can contact any of the founders here: http://whitworthclubs.com/bsu.