BSU expands activities across the Peninsula

Aragon’s Black Student Union is collaborating with schools within and outside of the San Mateo Union High School District in an effort to create more lasting change on campuses across the Peninsula.

BSU across the district, including Capuchino, Mills, Menlo Atherton, St. Francis and Aragon, are working together to plan events. Earlier in the year, Aragon’s BSU participated in a cookout with the BSUs at Menlo Atherton and Sequoia. In addition, they went to see “Black Panther” with Capuchino’s BSU.

“[We] have formed a little group [with other schools] … and [we are] showing the school that even though we’re a small [group], we’re definitely here and we have a community that we can share with others,” said senior and BSU treasurer Lloyd Walter.

Additionally, BSU holds collaborative workshops with other schools throughout the year with different focuses, such as mental health and community building.

“We’ve evolved into working … to bring awareness to the issues the Black community [faces]”

“The multi-school collaboration was established because there’s so few Black students [at] each of the campuses,” said English teacher and BSU adviser Lindsay Bussey. “One way for us to lean on each other is to come together [and] have [conversations] about our shared experiences.”

Club meetings begin with a slide presentation covering topics about the Black community throughout the nation. Additionally, in each meeting, the club discusses upcoming school events. While the core principles of the club have remained the same, Aragon’s BSU has shifted some of its focus over the years. 

“I initially joined [BSU] freshman year because my oldest sister was in it, [and] it was more like a place to hang out with other Black people and talk about culture,” Walter said. “Now we’ve evolved into doing events and working during Black History Month to bring awareness to the issues the Black community [faces].” 

Throughout the month of February, the District celebrated Black History month, a month dedicated to recognizing the struggle of African Americans in the United States. Each Friday, the club hosted an interactive event in Center Court. They played music over the loudspeakers, held a dance celebration open to all students, distributed mac and cheese, red beans and rice and cornbread and handed out Mardi Gras beads.

“One way for us to lean on each other is to come together [and] have [conversations] about our shared experiences”

Another way BSU celebrates their culture is through symbols such as the Pan-African flag, which was flown in Center Court for Black History Month.

“BSU worked on trying to get the Pan-African flag raised at all the schools in the district [during Black History Month] and [was] successful in that,” Bussey said. “That was something that we’ve been working on for years.” 

Aragon’s BSU is focused on creating a safe space for Black students, and is a place for students to talk about specific issues, especially in regard to racism on campus and in the San Mateo area. It is also a place where Black students are the majority of members, creating a space that counters dominant spaces. 

“Dominant spaces are where Black students are [a minority] in that space,” Bussey said. “[However] the counter space is where they are the majority, [and BSU is that] place where they can feel comfortable [and] don’t feel isolated.” 

Through their activities on and off campus, BSU is working to make Aragon and SMUHSD more educated and accepting of all students and staff.