Celebrating Black history on campus

Events recognizing Black History Month at USD

SPENCER BISPHAM / ASST. NEWS EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

The University of San Diego is in the middle of its celebration of Black History Month (BHM), and there has been quite a range of activities. People from every corner of the USD community have come together to put on a myriad of events; from lunches, to workshops, and several guest speakers. Many are still working to make this month about honoring and acknowledging the Black experience. 

USD’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Charlotte Johnson, J.D., clarified the intention behind the celebration.

“We are a contemporary Catholic university that celebrates the joy and spirit of humanity,” Johnson said. “That celebration foregrounds our celebration of Black History Month and the contributions of Black people to not just American history and culture, but to the world as we know it.” 

Found online at the USD News Center is information for almost every upcoming event at USD, including its offerings for Black History Month. They include lecture series, ministry programs, panels, and film screenings — many of which run through various student organizations.

Johnson emphasized that there are many different ways that USD celebrates its Black community members year-round.

“In addition to taking this month to highlight the achievements and the experiences of Black people here, nationally, and across the globe, we manifest that celebration in our leadership,” Johnson said. “Our provost is an African American woman, our Vice President for Student Affairs is an African American woman, our dean of the libraries is African American. You see in the leadership this manifestation of the celebration and honoring of Black people at every level.” 

An example of this manifestation is the Black Student Resource Commons (BSRC), where students and faculty work side-by-side to “enhance and increase student success and retention by building community engagement, facilitating identity development and supporting students’ college experience.” 

This month, they are offering many events for Black students on and off campus. These events include: a sit-in, lip sync battle, discussion groups, a roller skating night, and much more. 

According to Taniah Ayala, a USD sophomore who works at the BSRC, being in community can help make things easier.

“My experience has been weird,” Ayala said. “Of course being a Black student you stand out. Everything you do and say will be recorded or misinterpreted. However, at USD I know that I am not alone. I’m so happy to have found a community of people just like me.”

She added that USD has room to grow beyond BHM. 

“What could help us progress and make the Black community feel much safer is by always holding people accountable,” Ayala said. “The university needs to stop giving false promises and actually commit to what they ‘preach’ or so heartedly ‘stand for.’ Not just students, but faculty, administrators, everyone needs to be educated. Whenever there is a need, I don’t want any hesitation or questions regarding the experiences we’ve all faced. I want to see USD be on top of these situations and not worry about their so-called ‘image’ instead of sweeping things under the rug.”

USD first-year Alonna Deshotel shares similar mixed experiences to Ayala. 

“Although it has not been easy, I think I’m working on better understanding my purpose here,” Deshotel said. “Though being Black has not made it easy to find people who relate to things you do, come from the same experiences, or even find close relationships that aren’t surface level.”

She also had more specific ideas on how the university could improve.

“I think Black hair care products and Black products in general should be added to the pantry,” Deshotel said. “Considering the pantry provides things the students are in need of, Black students do need products for our hair which can be hard to get if you don’t know the area. I also believe it will  help a lot if they let Black students have first pick of the only two Black therapists on campus. So at least when there’s nowhere to turn, at least we have a place we can feel safe.” 

Change is also on the radar of the Black Student Union (BSU), a student organization on campus, where building community and supporting Black students are their top priorities.

Kaia Morrison, USD senior and president of the Black Student Union, reflected on the rate that change at USD is being enacted.

“I think that the most important thing that I’ve learned, being here and being president, is that things take time,” Morrison said. “As much as we would want USD to be 30 percent Black this semester, these things take time and they take patience. The key is being persistent and voicing what you need in those moments. There’s little stuff that they can give to us at the drop of a hat, but bigger stuff like increasing Black faculty and the Black student population  takes a little time.”

President James T. Harris III, DEd, said that more BIPOC student enrollment is something the school is proactively focusing on.

“I’ve been very proud of the fact that the percentage of students of color has gone up,” Harris said. “We’re moving in a very positive direction. The class we just had and the one before that are the two most diverse classes we’ve ever had. This incoming class right now looks to be even more diverse, [and] right at the top of the list of what I want to do here is hire  more diverse faculty.”

BSU, which recently had its first general body meeting on Feb. 14, is also involved in several of the events that are put on to recognize Black History Month. 

Toreros are encouraged to view the full list of programs for this month at the USD News Center or on the Instagram pages of  the Black Student Union or Black Student Resource Commons.