Putting the ‘Student’ in ‘Student of Color’
Having to deal with difficult classes, career searching, and newfound independence; college students already have a lot to manage. And with the test season approaching, midterms just seem to be another stressor to add to the growing list. However, there’s another burden put upon students, specifically students of color, that has become a major talking point recently.
“Don’t act like you don’t know what’s going on.”
The past month has sparked many important conversations among students, staff, and faculty alike regarding racial and social justice on campus. These are conversations that are important for everyone to always have, especially during Black History Month. Unfortunately, these conversations have recently become a dominant topic among students on campus because of racist events.
Conversations soon evolved into movements that were lead by students. Through the use of social media and organized walkouts, students of color bravely spoke out about their personal experiences and the feelings of disappointment, frustration, and anger caused by those experiences. There was a powerful sentiment shared by several students during these public expressions that really resonated with me and many other students of color: being the ones fighting for social justice, being the ones expected to “educate” the ignorant, and being the ones targeted with racist actions and words are just a fraction of what students of color go through by just existing on campus. How can students of color fight for social justice when they’re already busy fighting for a good grade during midterms? Why are students of color expected to be the ones who educate people on what’s racist and what’s not while we are the ones studying for our education? How are we expected to want to go to class when we know that our racist peers get to keep attending class as well? And with the midterm season approaching so soon after all of these events, it seems like the stress just keeps adding up.
However, as it’s become more abundantly clear as time goes on and we start to have conversations as a community, we don’t have to go through this alone. While this community faces unique struggles, this community also produces the most amazing accomplishments.
“United Against Racism”
It’s amazing to see what this community has accomplished while still prospering as students of color. The social media campaign #IHateItHere was started by students, shedding light on their personal experiences. Students were able to come together and organize a walkout, standing united to speak their minds on the changes they needed on campus. Students from the Black Student Union recently hosted their third annual Soul Fest, which was preceded by their immensely beautiful production of ‘Back in Black.’ During the Forum on Cal Lutheran’s Racial Climate with Dr. Shaun Harper, students bravely spoke out about their feelings and sentiments regarding recent and past events.
This midterm season, all students will have to manage another stressor to their everyday lives. While students of color have to face unique challenges during this season, it’s important to remember that they are capable of overcoming their midterms while producing incredible pieces of protest, art, and words.