George Floyd

Kiyomi Bowen (Kiyo), Class of 2022

Editorial Team — Mon, 11 Apr 2022 04:23:58 +0000

At the start of my freshmen year(2019) I found it was odd that there was no Black Student Union. I chose this college because I liked its diversity rating, small campus, and how the school is around 30 minutes away from home. I thought that BSU’s were already established things at most colleges. We had an active multicultural club, but I found it odd that there wasn’t an active BSU chapter. Throughout the years I have been attending Albertus, our diversity rating has been pretty good. Currently, in our undergrad program, 53% of students are black, and when I enrolled it was around the same. During my freshman year, I struggled with this is question “Does Albertus really want a BSU?” When I looked around it seemed that everyone was fine with how things were, limited resources for Black American students (not international) first-generation, and local or urban students. Going to a PWI it’s very important to know how to code-switch and if you aren’t aware, passively that can affect your studies/opportunities. In the summer of 2020, George Floyd’s murder had happened and the rise of that made me say “Who cares if Albertus wants a BSU”. I wanted there to be a safe space at Albertus for black students regardless of being black is in trend or not. Since then, the Black Student Union at Albertus has been active. We have a growing membership weekly and our programs are getting better over time. Not only are we shifting the culture of our school through this club. But, we are able to provide a more tailored opportunity for black students at Albertus. I think black students should hear my story and know to go with their instincts and stand up for what they believe in. Honestly being a full-time student, working and running an organization is a lot of work. There have been numerous times when I wanted to quit or I’ve broken down and cried. But, I really wouldn’t change anything. I see the bigger picture and I encourage other students to stay resilient with what ever their calling is. I swear it will pay off. Other than the Black Student Union there are no resources available specifically for black students. We are pushing to activate an NAACP chapter to help increase our resources. Albertus should help the BSU, be more inclusive, hire black professors, increase resources for first-generation students, etc because I do not feel represented here.

Anonymous, Class of 2020

Editorial Team — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 06:33:20 +0000

I feel somewhat represented. It’s a very white school because it’s in Lubbock, home of the white conservatives, but the school does have pretty ok diversity for being in the middle of nowhere in a very white town; It’s not segregated. We had many black-focused clubs and organizations that were offered/created by students. I didn’t officially join any because they never started club meetings on time, and I hate being behind schedule, but they were good organizations. Other than that, they didn’t really have a specific way that it supported us. Like I said, it’s a very white town so I don’t think any higher-ups think or care about that stuff, unfortunately. I wish they backed us when we were having the George Floyd and Breonna Taylor marches. Instead, they ignored it and acted like nothing was happening.

Chipo Muzilikazi, Class of 2024

Editorial Team — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 17:25:29 +0000

CCU was cliquey between races; there was an obvious imbalance of Black vs white students, especially in the performing arts department. I did not always feel represented at school. Sometimes I did, but in most cases, I felt that my upbringing and culture were totally different and not acknowledged such as gospel music in the worship ministries. There was an attempt to make a group that acknowledged diversity and they recognized the racial tension happening in the world while trying to address it during the year of George Floyd. I wish the school was not so new at incorporating programs for people of color or awkward about the topic of color. If there is one thing that will allow you to survive this world besides the Lord Himself, it’s a good skill/education.