BSU, HASA decorate doors for annual Black History Month contest
For the third consecutive year, the Black Student Union is hosting its annual door decorating contest to honor Black history month.
“This [door decorating contest] gives students and staff a chance to highlight some historical figures in African American history,” BSU sponsor Alisha Hensley said. “I want to give the students the opportunity to walk the hallways and learn from a visual representation about [Black history] since it’s not normally taught in the classrooms.”
The contest began at the start of February, and door judging is expected to take on Feb. 22 and 23 during advisory. Due to missed school days earlier this semester, Hebron Asian Student Association members have volunteered to help BSU decorate doors. Junior HASA officer Josh Park helped bring the two organizations together.
“Mrs.[Sunila] Gaikwad, our HASA sponsor, asked the officers to help decorate our door and one of us proposed the idea of getting members involved with helping the entire staff,” Park said. “Both [BSU and HASA] are able to help bring light to the accomplishments of minority groups, specifically Black history, through this door decorating contest.”
Since the content taught in the history curriculum isn’t inclusive of Black history, BSU president Melat Woldu said it is critical for students to be learning about social and historical events on their own.
“People easily associate Black history to just racism and slavery, but it’s so much more than that,” Woldu said. “Rather than forgetting about the past, you can walk to class while admiring accomplishments [of Black people] during difficult times.”
Besides the door decorating, BSU is planning to share more Black history and culture through performances from the step team, guest speakers and more. Hensley said she hopes students are able to take a moment to learn about what cultural student clubs have been putting their efforts into.
“To enjoy what we have now, we must appreciate the history and struggles that people made before us,” Hensley said. “It is important for us to appreciate and value other cultures that [are] not our own, so events like [the door decorating contest] allow for students to extend their learning on the Black history that [students on campus] choose to highlight.”
Senior Yunseo Jo is a reporter and this is her first year on staff. She is a dog whisperer who enjoys reading and digital art.