Is BSU only for black people?

By Taylor Broomall (Whetstone staff writer)

Amanda Jester was hearing things.

Whispers in the hallways. Stories from a friend of a friend. Mumbles under the breath of students.

Was it because she is white? How could she feel welcome with this going on?

“It made me uncomfortable,” said Jester, a junior at Wesley College, who took almost a year before deciding to attend a meeting of the Black Student Union on campus.

Kyle Pequeno       Melissa Boyd/Whetstone

There is a stigma associated with the BSU – that it’s only for African-Americans – and newly named President Kyle Pequeno wishes to quell it.

“There will always be misconceptions about the group, but I believe it’s dying down,” he said.

It seems that the biggest stereotype is in the name of the group itself.

“Black Student Union,” Pequeno said, “The first question I always get is, ‘Is this only for black people?’”

It’s not.

Pequeno, a senior at Wesley College, didn’t join the group until last year, but has taken steps to change the direction and leadership of the group.

Brittney Anthony, who stepped down because of scheduling conflicts, promoted Pequeno from Vice President to his current position last semester.

“She thought and hoped I would be able to make some of the changes I so frequently talked about,” Pequeno said. “The first big step we’re taking is changing the meeting topics to discussions that anybody can be a part of.”

The group has shifted its meetings to topics that cover ideas such as “Homosexuality in the Media” and “Are We United?” a topic that requires input from all sides of the racial spectrum.

“It began with simple things, like not catering chicken to our annual block party and feeding traditional stereotypes,” Pequeno said.

Terrance Wingate, researcher and member of the BSU, said, “There are numerous other reasons out there as to why there isn’t an equal representation of students at our meetings, but our focus is to find ways of destroying this stereotype.”

Pequeno has tried to get leaders of other organizations, including his former roommate, Will Seely, to come out to BSU events.

“Kyle is a great guy and I think he will do a lot for this group, which he’s obviously passionate about,” said Seely, the president of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE).

Seely said he’s not a member of the BSU, however.

“Not to beat around the bush, but I won’t join because I’m white and it’s intimidating.”

The group has about 40 members and is one of the largest on campus.

Melissa Boyd, Whetstone editor and girlfriend of Pequeno, said, “I originally went to a BSU meeting because the topic was interracial dating. As my parents have expressed concern about my future with an interracial relationship, I wanted to know how other people felt about it. I’ve never once felt uncomfortable at a BSU meeting because everyone is accepting, regardless of race or the opinions you have to offer.”

Boyd is one of only two white members of the BSU.