Senior Nesya Small is the Vice President of the BSU and one of the performers in the BHM Showcase. Photo by Breanna Gordon.
What does Black History Month mean to you?
"Black History Month to me means uplifting and celebrating black people and celebrating our history and our culture in this country and around the world by extension because we don't have just an influence in America, we have an influence globally."
What improvements could the school make to make MSD more inclusive?
"I feel like maybe discussing the cultural clubs on campus. It's like the Indian Student Association, Black Student Union, and other cultural clubs. Maybe if they have an idea, they should consult their sponsor or members of those clubs to see what they can improve on and maybe do it in a survey."
How are you celebrating Black culture and excellence?
"By being me, and living in my blackness, and celebrating myself and the people that look like me, educating the people at our school, and also participating in the show, which was a really big part of educating the students about Black culture."
If you could describe black history in one word, what would you say?
"Beautiful."
Do you think MSD truly values Black History?
"Some days, they do. Some days, it feels as if they do or some days, it doesn't feel like it. Depends on the day. I guess I don't truly 100% feel supported on campus, but it's not completely horrible. I think [I'd change] just the way certain teachers may deal with their black students versus their other students, you know, harsher punishments for black students than non-black students, that type of thing."
Why do you think BSU is important?
"It's important that the black students on campus have a place where we can feel comfortable and find a sense of community around us because we are a minority on this campus and sometimes, I'll be around people that understand."
How are you displaying your culture through the Black History Month show?
"'Blackish,' my show. I'm a choreographer for the dance for Trinidad and I'm also participating in a few other dances to help promote culture and anything else you want to add about Black History Month at the shelf. Black History Month should be celebrated in February, black history should be celebrated throughout the year."