With falling, skating and laughing, the Black Student Union hosted their Roller Bounce event at the Plex last Thursday in commemoration to their meaningful and influential Black History month.
“We always hold events, but we wanted to do a fun late night activity for students this time.” Olivia Whitley, senior in international studies and member of BSU said. “Black History Month was just an awesome way to get everyone out here and have fun and still give meaning to our cause.”
BSU is one of many multicultural student organizations whose purpose is to promote the general welfare of the Black Student Body; academically, politically, and socially; and where appropriate, serve as a representative voice of the body.
Apart from the cultural and historical aspect of the event, people came for one important factor: fun.
“We’re just having a good time and enjoying ourselves.” Tyrent Estus, junior in marketing said. “Its fun just being able to let loose and watch people fall.”
While some were able to take skating to a certain level of dancing and expertise, some had a little more difficulty in staying up right.
“It’s so hard!” Zandra Johnson, freshman in Spanish said. “I wish I did it more often, but we don’t have things like this back in the Bahamas.”
While the historical significance of Black History Month remains important mainly for the United States, it was celebrated by both Americans and foreigners Thursday.
Having only lived in the US for a little over three months, Black History Month is all too new to Johnson. The history, the dedication, the meaning, and the overall pride of it is completely foreign to foreigners.
“I really like how they incorporate the history of it all and use events like these to celebrate the month.” Johnson said.
Christina Horn, junior in nursing and president of BSU, said the turnout and cheerful faces at the event were more than she ever expected.
“We gave them music and ides for it, but didn’t really care what was played.” Horn said. “We just wanted it to be fun.”
BSU is a relatively new organization to MSU and wants to make sure everyone knows the organization is open to all students of all races and ethnicities.
