t has truly been a privilege and an honor to serve as Black Student Alliance President for the 2006-2007 academic school year. The BSA has played an instrumental role in shaping my Duke experience since I first set foot on Duke's campus at BSA Invitational Weekend 2003. Thus it was a deep-seated desire to give back to the organization that motivated me to run for president.
I stepped into the president's role at the beginning of the Lacrosse scandal and was immediately contacted by national reporters seeking insight into the "Black Perspective."
I have repeatedly stated that there is not a single monolithic black perspective on any given issue. Black students, much like all other Duke students, have a diverse range of opinions-the community is host to 34 different affinity groups, affectionately know as TEAM Mary Lou, each of which offer unique additions to black culture.
So to the predictable, "What do black students think/feel?" questions, I always smile and respond, "I honestly can't tell you what all black students think on an issue. I would be more than happy to share my opinion on the matter, but if you want the opinion of black students, you should probably go and ask them, as well."
BSA has done a tremendous job promoting our mission for the year-Cultivating Consciousness: Restoring Confidence to the Black Community. We have successfully staged a dialogue on the lacrosse incident, gone into the Durham community to Adopt-a-Park, worked with Campus Council and Duke Alumni Association to put on a Homecoming barbeque for students, alumni and football players; raised the level of consciousness about the black academic experience with Black Like Me-the list goes on and on. Our success is a testament to the dedication, commitment and hard work of our Executive Committee and the overwhelming support of the general body.
Looking forward to the spring semester, we are excited to work with TEAM Mary Lou to put on successful Black History Month programming. The national theme for this year honors Duke's own John Hope Franklin and his monumental contributions to the recorded history of the United States. In March, we are excited to host a new and improved BSA Invitational Weekend; we continue working on few more initiatives to further promote our mission.
Working with other student groups within the black community and in the greater Duke and Durham communities is pivotal to cultivating a campus that is willing to engage difference. I still find it troublesome that some students are hesitant to come to not only BSA events but to black events overall. The role of the BSA is not only to provide support and advocacy for black students, but also to educate those of other communities and cultures about black culture.
Moreover, the notion of "self-segregation" is one of the most abhorrent and privileged ideas I have heard since stepping foot on this campus. Black students go above and beyond the call of duty to interact with different groups on campus. Why? Quite simply because it is incumbent upon the black student to interact with these groups in order to survive. EVERYDAY I experience at least one moment in time where I am the ONLY person of my race in a given situation, and in one of the rare times when I can speak for a vast majority of the people in my constituency, this is the case for them as well.
So to those who believe "self-segregation" exists, I inquire: Do you notice that we are sitting together because we are black? Look around: Is it self-segregation when a group of white students sit together? To me, the very notion of self-segregation is a pseudonym for friends sitting with their friends. Is it a crime that some of my friends tend to have the same skin complexion as I do? I would hate to think so.
On a more personal note, serving as President has been a truly eye opening experience. Aside from the inordinate amount of meetings which come with the presidency, I have enjoyed the newfound friendships and opportunities to work with other student groups the position affords.
I dream of a Duke where people are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones to engage difference. I firmly believe that a mandatory course exploring diversity freshman year would be a step in the right direction. In fact, my most gratifying experience as BSA President was hearing Ambassador Andrew Young echo my sentiments exactly in front of President Brodhead at a reception just before he gave his MLK address in Duke Chapel. Overall, my experience from "pre-frosh" to BSA President in four short years is one I would not trade for the world.
Malik Burnett is a Trinity senior and president of the Black Student Alliance.
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