Attending college while Black can sometimes be a frightening and isolating experience. For most students you’re going to universities out of state, miles and miles away from your family and friends. You’re being thrown into a completely new space with no one by your side. And to top it all off you’re in the face of an institution who doesn’t prioritize making sure your livelihood and identity are protected.
We’ve seen it all. Racist encounters from other students, teachers, security staff, citizens of the new city that you’re in. You almost feel cornered in. Making sure you’re passing classes in college is already one hassle. You don’t want to stress yourself out even more by having an uncomfortable experience in your social life on campus. For Black students who are at PWIs, it’s important that you’re creating safe spaces with other Black students to create that community you need to feel comfortable, seen, and heard while on campus.
From Black Student Unions, to other extracurricular clubs, there are many ways to foster these connections. Creating these spaces will be great for holding conversations about what it’s like to be in a space around people who don’t look like you nor understand you. I want to list out a couple of clubs/spaces that you can make to build that home away from home.
1. Form A Black Student Union
BSUs can be helpful in a myriad of ways. It’s the perfect gateway to gathering Black students on campus, you can plan events, and most importantly you can come together to combat any hateful antics that’s happening on your campus. BSUs across have gone on strike when teachers were being unjust to students, rallied with non-Black students, perpetrated hateful attacks, and have been a dominating voice in terms of managing the overall atmosphere of a campus.
2. Create Mental Health Groups Geared Towards Black Students
Curating spaces where conversations can take place around mental health will be very helpful in fostering relationships. It’s imperative to make sure Black students are able to talk openly about how they’re dealing with being at a PWI where they might feel isolated and/or alone. It will be a great space to not only express grievances, figure out possible ways you can create solutions to problems that are coming up, but students will also learn they are not only in their thoughts.
3. Make Clubs That Are Geared To Common Interests
From singing, dancing, cooking, and more! Find fun and creative ways to bond with other Black students on campus. The best way to get to know other people is finding a common interest, it will pull people into the club and you’ll make friends out of it.
Alycia Kamil is a freedom fighter and believer of the people. She is a Freshman at Wilbur Wright College. Follow her writings, interests and more here.
