Black History Month: ‘It should be every day’

Black student leaders at USD share their thoughts on what Black History Month means to them 

Taylor DeGuzman/Arts & Culture Editor/The USD Vista 

Black History Month is a month of celebrating the beauty of Black culture, recognizing the multitude of Black figures and voices that shaped society, and never forgetting the pain and hurt that the Black community has withstood in silence for centuries and still withstands today. While this month appears to be a time where Black culture and history are the most highlighted and recognized, many hope and strive for the time when Black culture and history will be highlighted, recognized, and respected every single day. 

Until then, many look toward the next generation of the movement: the young voices who tirelessly work each day to have those uncomfortable conversations, educate their peers, and continue to learn as they lead. 

In wake of the killing of George Floyd last year, among several other Black lives that were lost at the hands of police, and the widespread resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, many Black students and Black faculty at USD were traumatized and hurt. But above all else, they were moved and empowered to “address how the culture of our institution contributes to the racism that is not only wreaking havoc in this country but also our own university community,” Black faculty at USD said in their letter to the university in July of 2020. 

Black faculty at USD also addressed how the difficult culture at USD is seen in the low representation of Black students at USD; namely that 3% of undergraduates at USD are Black. Wanting to establish a safe space for Black voices at USD, and welcome all experiences and stories from BIPOC, the @blackatusd Instagram page started around the same time Black faculty at USD released their letter. A countless amount of stories from USD’s BIPOC community were shared on the page, revealing how much work still needs to be done within the USD community to dismantle a culture of discrimination and white privilege, in order to foster inclusivity, acceptance, and a safe space where diversity can flourish. 

This Black History Month, USD’s Black Student Union (BSU) and the Black Student Resource Commons, among several other organizations and USD commons, continue to put on weekly events to celebrate Black History Month, elevate different Black voices, and educate others whether it be on systemic racism or dealing with imposter syndrome. 

Some of the most influential Black student leaders at USD shared their thoughts on Black History Month and how they’re finding moments of self-reflection and celebration. 

Marissa Dzotsi, USD junior and BSU’s internal outreach chair, shared her thoughts on Black History Month. 

“Black History Month means acknowledging the number of amazing people who played a role in getting here and realizing the beauty of Black culture,” Dzotsi said. “It should be every day; we shouldn’t have to be confined to one month of educating people, because the learning never stops.”

Many see Black History Month as a month of recognizing the same Black voices and influential figures that are highlighted throughout the American education system. Dzotsi explained why individuals must use the momentum of this month to begin recognizing other Black figures that also played a huge role in shaping society. 

“I think growing up we only learn about the same four people and then you realize that no civil rights movement was started by one single voice; there were always so many voices,” Dzotsi said. “Rosa Parks, for example, is a very digestible historical figure … we have to acknowledge the other people that weren’t seen as the ‘right’ face for the movement. I think it’s incredible that we are all playing a role right now, and in 20 something years it will be our names and our actions that are talked about.” 

The pandemic has left a huge impact on Dzotsi, where a month that is typically celebrated hand in hand with her community has been reduced to isolation and a lack of being surrounded by the voices and people at USD who inspire her. However, Dzotsi has still found her safe space and a way to feel heard through blogging. 

“I started a new blog this year called, ‘My many shades,’ and the goal of this blog is to highlight Black women’s voices and the Black women in my life who inspire me in all aspects,” Dzotsi said. “I wanted to focus on the limitless breadth of Black women and how no one can confine us to one role in society.” 

For Dzotsi, blogging is her way to find peace and strength within a world that is still healing from the hurt of last year, especially for the Black community. She explained how draining each event of last year was. 

“Each event has truly drained us and it is hard to see what you’re fighting for, but Black History Month empowers us to keep going and keep moving forward, while also acknowledging the importance of breaks,” Dzotsi said. “Just living in your Black skin is fighting.” 

USD senior, Madonna Connors, described how the pain and strife from last year played a role in what Black History Month means to her. 

“What happened last summer weren’t isolated incidents, this has been happening for so long and a lot of people I knew just started paying attention because it was a lot harder to ignore,” Connors said. “This month does feel different because people are paying more attention, a lot of people want to make a difference and be a part of the change, so it does make me proud that people started speaking out.” 

For Connors, Black History Month is a special time to prioritize joy and healing. 

“Joy really is an active resistance, a really big reminder that Black people are so much more than our pain and our struggle; obviously, that is a big part of our history, but, so is love and art and music and food and our whole culture that we’re so proud of,” Connors said. 

In order to sustain the momentum of Black History Month and individuals’ desire to amplify and support black voices, Connors shared how people can carry the celebration and the pride of this month for the rest of the year. 

“People need to show up for the Black and brown communities on campus,” Connors said. “We have so many different meetings and events from so many clubs and organizations and now they’re all on Zoom, so there’s no excuse to not show up for the community.” 

Connors explained the importance of being more than an ally. She encourages individuals to commit their life to work to dismantle oppressive institutions. It involves people to do more than “repost an Instagram post and not do anything else,” Connors said. 

Recognizing that USD is a predominantly white university, Connors expressed how she tries to make her voice heard and make a difference on campus by educating others and encouraging those within the Black and brown community. 

“Sometimes it can be difficult at USD, but I do try to help lead people to the right resources and share my own experiences as much as I can,” Connors said. “I want to start doing more organizing too, whether it be protests or community events and now that I’m on my way out of USD, I’m trying to find my place in social justice and how I want to pioneer the future.” 

Meredith Wiggins, USD senior and president of BSU, felt that in previous years, USD didn’t address Black History Month as much as they are addressing it now. 

“Now there are a lot of events from other organizations, for example, GESP is doing a huge section for Black History Month (highlighting Black voices) and TPB is also having events,” Wiggins said. “I think people are coming to the realization that Black people have been struggling in silence for so long and want to see how they can support Black students at USD. It is a different switch in energy.” 

Wiggins and BSU had the opportunity to work with TPB to get Deesha Dyer, the former White House Social Secretary under the Obama administration, to speak about her experience with imposter syndrome during the virtual Zoom event on Feb. 24. “A Night with Deesha Dyer: From Imposter to Impact,” was a remarkable event for students to hear about Dyer’s experience with imposter syndrome in the White House, and how she overcame it. 

Imposter syndrome describes an individual who doesn’t feel like they belong, and believes that their success is due to luck rather than hard work or qualifications. Wiggins explained how prevalent imposter syndrome is within the Black community, especially within a predominantly white institution like USD. 

“BSU and I are really focused on getting freshmen involved because I can’t imagine having the whole year on Zoom and not being around other Black people, it can feel pretty isolating,” Wiggins said. “Black students are so marginalized on campus and Black professors can only do so much to mentor us.” 

Although it can be easy for BIPOC students at USD to have imposter syndrome and not feel as seen at times, Wiggins described the silver linings she’s found at USD. 

“USD isn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else,” Wiggins said. “If you have quality friends your experience can be a lot better.” 

Wiggins hopes to carry the strength and healing that Black History Month brought her, throughout the rest of the year. 

“Overall, I want to be kind and gentle to myself, and as a Black student I can only do so much…the burden isn’t on me, it’s on the university and it’s on the students to continue to educate themselves and educate others,” Wiggins said. “For me, graduating college this year is a big deal, especially since the percentage of Black women who graduate is extremely low, so I plan on celebrating these little victories as they come.” 

To keep the momentum of Black History Month going the Mulvaney Center will be starting table talks — casual discussions on current pressing topics and ongoing issues that are disproportionately affecting marginalized communities — starting March 12. These table talks are open to the USD community and will serve as a safe space to have uncomfortable conversations necessary for sparking change and keeping the dialogue going.