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By Corlise Jackson
Patrick Henry Middle School
Diversity at Kent State is an issue for college students. One organization that focuses on the needs of African Americans is Black United Students (B.U.S.).
Diversity in B.U.S., as President Sasha Parker, said, gives "equal opportunity for minorities."
B.U.S. stands for "The empowerment of social economics and political rebirth of all minorities" said Parker. They're against "oppression and ideology against people of color."
Plain Dealer feature writer Margaret Bernstein said that when you're in any kind of organization it "makes you feel like you're connected and belong" and "when you're at a big school, it gives you a sense of community to join an organization."
Parker joined because " I feel I have a responsibility to my people and also as a black student on a predominately white campus. If I sit back and watch my people be oppressed and don't do anything, I'm just as bad as the oppressor." She joined B.U.S. to "help empower my people and make the University more minority friendly."
According to Parker, B.U.S. had difficulties along the way. In the 1970's, there wasn't very many black
teachers. Some felt like there was a lot of injustices toward the black teachers and students. Then one day, 200 students and faculty walked off campus in protest.
Parker explains that the university met one of their demands to give them the former student center, Oscar Ritchie Hall and also created the Pan African Studies to be housed in the old student center.
As stated by www.stateronline.com , another issue for B.U.S. was when Tyrone Wright and Malik Griffin were expelled from school.
"Tyrone was expelled from Kent State because of an altercation with a white female student," Parker states. "Going through the judicial fairs process, they expelled him from school."
Malik also had an altercation with a white student. He went through the judicial fairs and was expelled too, Parker revealed.
Parker says that the hearings weren't fair and there was no due process. This lead to the protest on May 4, 2006, which was to demand that the judicial fairs be redone and that the students be reinstated.
Parker, says that B.US. is going to try different approaches to spark student interest. B.U.S. will be adding new positions onto the board. Parker also said that B.U.S. would try to "work closer to other student organizations."
"I think we're on a good path. We have a great beginning, so hopefully we continue.", Parker said.