Matthew Brown: President of BSU
Growing up, I fell in love with the game of basketball. Through this game I was able to engage and establish relationships with many individuals, specifically African-Americans. I began to be associated and embrace their culture, which as a result helped me to form a newfound appreciation for what it is they cultivate and appreciate. It helped me to see their culture in such a beautiful way that is very loving and engaging for those that are a part of their communities. However, their communities have faced so much discrimination in the past, and still face so much discrimination and hate in the present moment.
As a white male in this country, I can’t even begin to understand what they have faced or show any true authentic empathy towards them. I have never been susceptible to some of the forms of oppression and stereotypes that have plagued their community for such a long time. I have never had to worry nor fear what would happen to me if a cop pulled me over, or if someone would look at me weird in a store because they thought I would steal something due to the color of my skin. The amount of hate and oppression that their community has faced is indescribable and incredibly distasteful.
The black community has fought for equality for such a long time, and even though the period of the 60s which involved the fight for civil rights is over, it still feels as if nothing has changed. Members of their community still feel that their voices are unheard and that they are still voiceless. That is why, I want to bring to light how we can solve this issue that has been infecting our country through an interview I did with a friend of mine.
My friend Matt Brown is a black man in this country, who is currently the president of the Black Student Union group on campus. Matt was willing to answer a couple questions I had in regard to why he got associated with the Black Student Union on campus, and what it is that he hopes they can accomplish and showcase to the IWU community.
“I got involved with the Black Student Union because I love seeing people of color come together in one place, experiencing comfort and unity. The reason I became president was the same: I enjoy seeing people of color unite in one space.” Matt has a goal of “ensuring that people of color are seen and heard, and to make sure they feel comfortable, creating a better environment for the next generation coming in.”
In order to accomplish this goal, Matt had a very mature and unique outlook on how to make this a reality. Instead of viewing it as an individual responsibility, he finds that it is more likely to be possible with the help of other people. “I don’t think it’s just a me thing; it takes a team to make that happen. As I said, we need to come together and stand as one unified front.” Matt is very optimistic in that the Black Student Union on campus can accomplish so much and truly have an influential impact on this campus. Indiana Wesleyan is a university that is heavily populated by Caucasian people, so it would be of benefit to have an understanding of what people of the African-American culture face in this current society. Matt hopes that BSU can have a lasting impact on the general student population at IWU from not just the perspective of being heard and seen, but more importantly creating a community that is supportive and unified. “I want the general student population to know that the Black Student Union is not just about advocating for change, but also about creating a space where people of color can come together, feel seen, and be heard. It is about fostering a sense of community, support, and unity. BSU is for everyone, and our mission is to uplift each other while embracing diversity. We are here to educate, connect, and celebrate our shared experiences, and we welcome anyone who wants to be a part of that journey.”
What Matt is trying to do on campus is very inspiring and noteworthy. Wanting to create a sense of community that is supportive and unified and also embraces each other regardless of race is a fundamental aspect of creating a successful and positive environment. And this is not something that can be achieved by one individual. I love how he emphasized that it can only be attained through a unified group effort, and that is so true. In order for there not just to be a sense of equality or shared understanding on our campus, but in our society, we must be willing to work at it together instead of just leaving it all to one person or group. If we do not support those who face heavy discrimination and often go unheard in this country, then there will be no chance of creating a culture that is supportive and embracing of each member of society regardless of race.