BSA tree in the Albion woods

February 27, 2004
by Alyssa Montgomery
Contributing Writer

If a group of students voice serious concerns and other Albion College students aren’t there to hear it, does that group of students make a noise?

Attending the Black Student Alliance (BSA) Panel was an exceptional and extremely valuable experience. President Mitchell announced that two trustees had been in attendance, and one had come all the way from Detroit to make it to the event.

Where were Albion’s white students on Monday night? Do they think these issues don’t affect them? Were they afraid of being attacked? Granted, the publicity for the event could have been better, and Monday nights are busy for many, but these are our peers raising important issues about what it is like going to Albion for someone who is not white.

While it is important that administrators hear about African American students’ experiences, it is the interaction with fellow student that shapes much of their interactions. Yes, admissions does need to work on recruiting minority students, but it is the students who really create the atmosphere on campus, and it is mainly the atmosphere that is the problem.

The atmosphere at Albion will only change when the students change it. The vast majority of students on this campus are white. Everyone should care that this campus isn’t the most comfortable place for black minority students and can be sometimes downright awful.

It is everyone’s responsibility to change that, to reach out, go out of your way to educate yourself about other people. Do not make the mistake of sailing along in your comfortable social circle while ignoring the fact that everyone does not have it as good as you do.

Come to events sponsored by BSA, Organization for Latino/a Awareness, Asian Awareness, Break The Silence, and other diversity groups. It takes effort to change a situation, and showing your support for these groups and the issues they raise is a good first step.