Black Student Association reaches out to increase understanding, serve

Black History Month takes place every February, and although the month is almost up, there are still several opportunities available for students to learn about African American and black culture through the Black Student Association.

Kristine Whittaker, Multicultural Diversity Center adviser, said so far this month, the BSA has held many activities to increase awareness about Black History Month. The club has been passing out chocolate in different areas around campus to create awareness, had a guest speaker talk to students about identity theft prevention, and had a hip-hop dance Friday night.

"[The BSA] decided to do the service project on identity theft because they wanted to help the community," Whittaker said. "They know it's a growing concern across the nation. They wanted to show the community they are trying to contribute to Dixie so they aren't stereotyped."

Whittaker said the club held the hip-hop dance so it could show the campus community more of its African American and black culture.

"They go to dances and it's not their kind of music that they listen to," Whittaker said. "They wanted to branch it out a little bit."

Whittaker said the BSA also has what they call the "black hole." She said this is a certain spot on campus where the club decides to hang out. The location changes frequently and isn't planned. Last week the "black hole" was in front of the Gardner Center.

"They want people to come by and talk to them and learn more about Black History Month," she said. "They also have a flag they are carrying around campus to help people recognize that it's Black History Month and that they're proud."

Lavaughn Wilkins, BSA president and a freshman social work major from Salt Lake, said the BSA has been at Dixie State College for several years, but died down due to lack of interest for a couple of years and is being revived this year.

"What we try to do is educate not only African Americans about African American or black culture, but also Dixie College by talking about famous civil rights leaders and showing clips of movies to educate," Wilkins said. "We also do fun activities like movie nights and dances. We try to promote African American or black awareness and let people know we have a semi-huge African American population [on campus]."

As of fall 2009, there were 64 black students attending DSC. Wilkins said the BSA is also a support group for people who feel alone because the club doesn't discriminate against anyone.

Whittaker said the MCDC encourages different ethnic students to join several different clubs, and because of this, the BSA's membership is up to 17 people.

"They are a very active club," she said. "Not all of them are black students. A lot of them are Hispanic or Native American."

The club meets every Tuesday in the MCDC in the Old Gym at 4 p.m. There is also an activity calendar in the MCDC listing club activities.

Wilkins said he hopes in the future that many more people join the BSA. His plan is to have the BSA be respected as a club and fulfill the need of diversity at DSC. "Everyone is encouraged to come," he said. "We're not threatening at all. Everyone is welcome to come and see what we're about."

The club doesn't have any solid plans for upcoming activities, but it is discussing having an opening social and cook out in March. Multicultural/Diversity week is also coming up at the end of March. For more information on upcoming activities, call the MCDC at 652-7733.