The University of Missouri continues to show that they don’t know how to handle diversity on their campus.
Just last week, the Legion of Black Collegians, the Black student government, announced on Instagram the school’s decision to change the name of a welcome event for incoming students from “Welcome Black BBQ” to “Welcome Black and Gold BBQ” (the university’s colors).
In their statement, the LBC wrote, “The Legion spent several months fighting this decision and finding a way to preserve the original title and message. When presented with the idea, we initially wanted to keep the original name or not have the event at all.”
They continued, “However in tandem with the GOBCC [Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center], Ms. Andrea, and the university, we did not want to override the hard work our government and other Black student leaders put into this nor face consequences that could lead to massive losses for our government so early in the year.”
Read the entire statement below:
University spokesperson Christopher Ave told NBC News that the event name was changed “to reflect that our campus is open and welcoming to all. Achieving excellence for all is at the core of the University of Missouri’s mission. And clearly, in striving for an inclusive university, we must not exclude (or give impressions that we are excluding) individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.”
As someone who attended and graduated from the University of Missouri, this is frustrating to hear.
Firstly, the LBC is doing this to ensure that the campus is more inclusive. When I first arrived on campus, I was worried that it would be difficult to find a large group of Black people that I could laugh, interact and relate to. It’s a concern for many Black students who attend a PWI.
The “Welcome Black BBQ” is the first event that opens its arms to Black students and tells them, “Hey we’re here! This is a safe space where you can feel safe and comfortable with other people that look like you.”
Furthermore, it’s catered to the Black student body, but it doesn’t mean that non-Black people can’t come and enjoy the event. Every year I went there were non-Black people there having fun, immersing themselves in a culture where they may have been previously uncomfortable.
It’s akin to people who want to get rid of Black History Month or people who say we should celebrate “White History Month.” Nearly every event on Mizzou’s campus is a “Welcome Black and Gold BBQ.”
Black students at Mizzou, who have often been ignored and ostracized, need and want an event that welcomes them into Black Mizzou. While it’s just a name change, it takes a small part of what made it special.