myprojectorwhatever

[myprojectorwhatever]

Discussion/ What I wish I could’ve done better

Nothing, I’m perfect. (JK)

I wish that I could have interviewed more people in BSM, but I was just wandering around campus and I had a few friends that knew of great candidates for my topic, which was fine. Also, I wish that I had more time to fully emerge myself into this study because I have never had the chance to speak to my peers about these popular problems. It has impacted me on how I will help my community in the future and how Carolina can provide individuals with the tools to help communities here and far away. There’s so much money, alumni, and organizations that people should become more aware of. I’m glad that I did not discuss my own opinions while interviewing and withheld them til after and encouraged people to elaborate on their words afterwards. I hope to one day expand my project and create something bigger, maybe a visual autoethnography. 

[myprojectorwhatever]

The real work...

I have some pretty codes and stuff worked out along with themes... along with my findings. 

                                                         CODES 

BSM

Campus Atmosphere (Atm for my science folks out there)

Black Culture

    *Somehow I forgot to add Education/Knowledge under this one.. ugh. 

                                                    THEMES

Community 

Social Justice 

Happiness

Knowledge 

                                                  FINDINGS

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 9: An actual BSM member

I managed to finally land an interview with someone that has stayed active in BSM. How awesome is that???

                                                 Key Points

-Predominately white background (but he’s not white), white family, white community, white school.

“I didn’t get a chance to explore my ethnicity. My parents always told me I was native and black, and I did not really have to deal with. BSM helped me explore my identity. I believe your race first thing people see.”

“Advocate for people by using my own identity”

BSM been a member since freshman year, the first organization that I’ve joined.

-“There’s always something new happening in BSM and trying to keep up with things”

-He joined the first year class council, then joined other groups within BSM.

“What I tried to do was move up slowly, I dont think a lot of the people get to see the behind the scenes.”

Potential

“No, I dont. I think we have a big issue of making our students feel welcomed. For so long, we have been as the black student movement and we’re exclusive to black students.”

Educating

“Uploading, why it’s important. Passing it down generation to generation.”

“Often times in society we say “if you’re this way then you’re right and if you’re this way you’re the wrong.”

“Just because we’re different (black people) does not make it wrong)

Issues

-Historically, blacks have always cultivated a response for their segregtion, slavery, civil rights movements, institutional segregation, BSM,

-“I feel like there’s always a need to respond to how we’re treated in this country. “

-“I think it’s most important to educate yourself on this history of black in this country (He went to a white school and did not get to obtain this education).

And using our own privileges as an educated student to make lives better for not only blacks, but for all people that face similar struggles.

Reaching happiness

“Personally, I believe you reach happiness through freedom”

Where there is happiness, there’s an opposite value.

“I feel for too long blacks have been faced with the opposite value.”

“Knowing that you aren’t someone that’s just passive in certain moments.”

Unity

-“I think on our campus there’s the whole african versus african american.”

-“The whole, I’m better because i’m from america vs living in the motherland.

-“First and foremost you are black.”

-“The greek community is pretty standoff-ish.”

-”The only people that come to greek events are people that are apart of greek events.

-”Different organizations moreso cater to different affinities ..

“You can create your own subgroups, it’s not not an option.”

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 8: 1st Generation African-Americans

During this interview, I asked Angelica and Tenesha if they had school spirit, where both replied with “Naw.” It appears the school is at a standstill/bland with social justice due to there being “so much initiative with afro-people, people of color, blacks that are trying to get together to ensure there’s change on campus and feeling welcomed, but it always comes to a standstill due to [groups] disintegrating and irrelevant worries over administration’s knowledge of protesting/social activism.”

 Tenesha added on by providing an example of the standstill on campus when she mentioned the change of Saunders Hall to Carolina Hall. William Saunders was a KKK leader and students conducted multiple protests for three years to name the building after Zora Neale Hurston, the first black-women to attend UNC. This issue was finally handled by the Board of Trustees where they claimed the new name would be Carolina Hall to showcase the diversity of the school. Sounds like a gimmick!

                                                     Key Points:

-Uncertainty over Black Student Movement being a movement or social club to climb a ladder without a mission.

-Note: It does create a space for CERTAIN black people to come together and discuss topics/plan events.

-Why join?

Angelica: “I thought there would be black solidarity, a place to be black without compromising. I thought there was going to be blackness and blackness id dope, but it was different that I expected.

Tenesha: “I feel like the entire campus is white-washed, when I say bland I think dull or the opinion of the Caucasian race and everything’s set to please them, or accommodate them.”

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 7: Fellow Transfer Student/Bio Major

I call her Alisho and that’s all you need to know. If you find her on campus after reviewing this, tell her I sent you. She’ll hate me, but love you. :D lolololol

I have no idea why I interviewed her.... 

Me: Describe the campus atmosphere in 1 word and Why?

Her: Competitive. Because it’s fucking competitive.  

but at least she got better by explaining how BSM is caring because they seem to give a crap about what’s going on int he real world. 

BSM:

“I don’t really know much about it due to lack of advertisement. I’m not sure what they do, discuss, or anything.” 

Black Culture

“Family is important and having that orientation because they’re the people that support you. 

Issues

“Racism. Because it’s not good, it’s bad.” 

Happiness

“Dont blame other people for your problems. Help yourself, but don’t think you’re by yourself. Fix your own problems and don’t blame them on other people.

         *I asked how individuals can fix these problems and she seemed uncertain on how exactly, but..........

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 6: Fellow First Gen.

This is the first male I interviewed and we met randomly on an app (NOT used for dating/hook-ups  -_-.)  I describe him as awkward, but intelligent. It was an interesting combination since he was extremely passionate, but did not hold eye-contact very well. 

                                                    Key Points

Campus

“I believe there is a culture of change occurring on campus and there are people that do not want to see this change occurring, which is creating a division” 

BSM

-“There are more black people who are concerned about their well-being on campus”

       Note: I was curious about why there weren’t more suborganizations under BSM to fit more needs and why they didn’t work together. Steve let me know that there has been a few collaborations between groups. BSM and Oasis have collaborated on an event, that’s great! 

-”I’m not an active member anymore and I’m not sure why. I used to be part of the freshman council.”

“Fullest potential has not been reached for this organization. I feel like there’s more than can be done on our end”

Issues:  (Note: This interview was done after the Charlotte,NC shooting)

-“Overall, there needs to be a change in mindset. It happened to them, but it can’t happen to me”

- “I would rather know all of the information and reach my own conclusion.”

-“Being more vocal”

           *“I dont like a lot of confrontation, but the way things are going there has                    been a lot of confrontation.”

-The unity amongst black student population can be strong, especially since the unity dies down after media coverage dies down. 

      “On campus, we are starting to come together and stand up for each other. My hope is that it will continue even after media coverage, after the verdict”

Final Thoughts: 

-Durham is a tale of two-cities, He’s from here and came from a predominately black area. 

“One of the deepest things in the black community is that we don’t invest in ourselves”

Note: Steve informed me to look at the diversity report found.. here’s a link and the numbers are crazzzyyyyyyy at the end of page 9.

https://diversity.unc.edu/files/2015/11/UNC-Diversity_Report_2014-15.pdf 

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 5: Nesha and Nesha

Our names were practically the same with the exception of two letters, that’s such a win. 5/7 letters were in the same place! Also, I finally adapted a specific way to interview people and obtain the answers I wished to gather, which made interviewing much easier to get through.

                                           Key Points

Nesha (Not me ;] ) :

-Shockingly, she tried to join BSM as a freshman since there’s a freshman council but she didn’t get the job she applied for. She didn’t try again and seeked another community to be part of. 

-Before coming to this campus, went to PWI .

-“I noticed that you’re not considered black because you’re doing something right. [Especially when you] speak proper and do well, it isn’t seen as being black.”

“Defining blackness was one of my first courses on campus and made me feel apart of the movement as a black student.

People that were apart of BSM were also in this course.

-The organization she’s currently in used to be part of BSM, but now it’s an organization by itself and has spread to other universities. It was created by a past president of BSM, whose focal point was to target youth mentoring. 

-“You have to make people aware of what you’re doing while you’re on campus. I dont feel like they’re advocating enough and I dont feel like people don’t know that BSM even exists on campus.”

Happiness

“I really like the natural hair movement, Black Girl Magic, BLM, etc. these things promote happinesss where people can join together and get happiness.”

Silent Sam (the confederate statue)

“Silent Sam was here to keep blacks out of white spaces. Also, it’s exciting to see so many black people at once, especially coming from a PWI where it can’t really be viewed” 

Fact: 

Popular songs get played to deathhhhhhh at this campus. TO DEATH! 

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 3: Social Justice with Justice

I absolutely had to rename this interviewee Justice because she had that much knowledge on activism and things that were happening around school. She’s only a sophomore and has accomplished so many things. 

                                           Key Points (There’s way too many..)

-”I’ll rep Carolina Bluem but I’m also aware of the problems here.”

-’Coming on campus, I felt like I was one of [the] very few black people [here]. I realized that there was an actual community when I went to the BSM GB meeting last year.”

-”[Automatically,] when I think of anything happening in the black community and I’m looking for a campus organization to have a discussion about it or do something about it, I think of BSM.”

-”Being part of BSM has severed as my foundation where I felt like at the end of the day I had an organization where there were people who looked like me; and for the most part thought like me. This gave me confidence to go into organizations where I knew there’d be people that were like me/looked like me/shared the same experiences.”

-She described BSM as providing her a space to do work in the black community and not be looked at in a strange way. Also, she’s not directly apart of any communities, but does attend any event. I found it strange that although she seemed to be partially active, she was still confused on how the organization worked and this has been a central issue that holds people from continuing on.

-HBCUs are frowned upon and you’re looked down on for attending them.

-Unity

   *”We won’t be able to break through until we realize we’re all black, every single one of us because when we walk down the street, all anyone sees is our skintone, they’re not going to ask where we’re from.” 

-HBCU

  *”When picking colleges, I didn’t want to attend an HBCU because I knew they are frowned upon and looked over by employers, but one day I wish to teach at both PWI and HBCUs after I’ve experienced things to tell them what I know.”

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 4: Three Seniors

  I began to wonder why there were so many groups for black students on campus and why they didn’t just make subgroups under BSM since it’s the largest and oldest organization. 

                                           Summary

   As proper freshman protocol, you go to at least the first general body meeting to see how you could fit into the organization. Some describe it feels like high school, but agree that there is no “rough waters” between BSM and other groups due to wanting to create unity at public events for all black students. 

Note: Most african students find their “home” organization in Oasis, although that clumps people together it’s nice to have events centered around people that are like you and resemble your life at home as far as offering food and etc. 

  Key Points

Yandy (Note: Didn’t attend a BSM meeting til her senior year)

-“There’s a ton of subgroups but only 5 people attend them”

- “Oasis and BSM is not combined because BSM clumps people and does not like to allow to give people to have voices.”

-”It’s a very intimidating space. People aren’t very accepting at making it welcoming” 

-”We only unify when there’s things like THIS that happen.. We should be building it for our children, economically. We Want to be able to live to fullest potential. The way to do this is by getting rid of institutional racism. We don’t have the same resources or history that allows us to fulfill our fullest potential. We are still at a disadvantage. Generally, we’re focused on brutality against black men although it’s affected black women/queer/no-conforming/trans. The movement is essentialized and it’s not what we should focus on. We should focus on all experiences. We should focus on building a community”

Tatiana (C)

-”If BSM were ‘aware’ they could have easily added subgroups such as Oasis and Queer organizations. 

-  “Generally, education. Not in terms of going to college, but having it so children know their history that uplifts them, not just demeaning them. Systematic issues and institutes are issues (loans and etc.) Mental health awareness goes under radar. LGBTQ issues too. Also, black people need to love each other more.”

-There’s unity in certain situation. Because you’re black everyone, but there’s also not.

Ronda (N) 

-”[More] representation needs to be implemented, which will allow make more organizations want to combine with BSm

- “GB meetinsg are not well attended, most of the crowd comes from events”

-”Black men and their oppression is center, but we should take the time to focus on intersexuality.”

-BSM is a really big organization. The people WOULD be active but you have to have the right intentions and want to make your community active in certain ways. The intentions are “I want to be seen as a black student leader and acquire the power. Having certain perks and administrative support, better jobs and being in greek organizations. Because the goals are to do those things, they end up not helping the people with no voice. Only people with voices that would be fine either way would”

-”Once we all can come together and agree that the other person is wrong [is when we can reach happiness.]”

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 2: The Lawyer and Bio Major. (2 different people)

I learned that you should never interview a lawyer, they’ll give you as little information as possible.

                                                    Key Points

*Both

-Agreed it was needed to find your own sense of community, Some people find this through campus ministries and others find it through the various organizations around campus. 

-Time commitment conflicted with both of their schedules, which made them unable to be active in BSM. 

*Lawyer

-”Time commitment conflicted with my schedule as far as being a big part of BSM and I know that there’s plenty of black people in BSM or greek life, but I reserve no negative connotations on BSM. Plus, I have no idea what they stand for.”

-”I would pay the $15 and be a member, but that’s all I would be. It’s very low-key, or you can become very involved.”

-There is a group called Silent Sam, they get into “good trouble” 

*Biology Major 

-”Anytime something negative happens in the black community, BSM gets tied for to it, even if it’s not their fault.” 

-Agreed that it was a large group and there’s a lot of false information. 

[myprojectorwhatever]

Interview 1: Three Freshman Ladies

At first, I wasn’t going to include this in my research, but I realized the significance it held. It seems as though majority of people began in BSM their freshman year before realizing it wasn’t for them or did not provide enough for their needs.

                                                          Key Points

-We attended the same General Body meeting for BSM.

-Feelings of GB: 

^Thought it was great, did not fault BSM for major technical difficulties. (There were a few hiccups, but thought it was fine)

             (The music malfunctioned, which halted a dance group from performing, Choir Director took the choir off-stage because they were not performed their final song correctly)

^Confusion on what subgroups were offered within the organization. 

^Disrespectful that people kept leaving.

^More information revealed at the end during information session where there was a chance to speak directly to leaders of subgroups. 

^Didn’t know what to expect of the event

[myprojectorwhatever]

Week 10 -13: Case Closed!

Wrapped up my investigations with two last interviews and Captain Kirk’s approval of my findings. 

Well, not without some highlights and last observations/memos....

Week 11 (THE GIF SAYS IT ALL!!!) 

Week 12

-11/9 Observation-Memo Combo: 

This is the day of the “Walk-Out” where students were told to ditch their classes in order to gather on the quad after election day. It was amazing to see so many people come together in order to share their feelings. This did not only impact the demographic I’m studying, but literally everyone. It’s made everyone want to stand up for their rights and what they believe in. 

-11/11 Observation:

Harmonyx A Cappella Group presented Lemonade! 

Fun Fact: This group is under BSM. 

The cheesiness of their acting reminded me of a Chitlin’ Circuit play (During the era of segregation, this is the name of the venues black people performed in due to it being safe/acceptable and being able to relate to the audience). After a heavy week, it was nice to be able to sing songs and have fun while there was so much grief around us. 

[myprojectorwhatever]

Week 7-9: Nuffin’ Much

Soo... I started trying to fix my biology grades, but.. you know.... 

So,...

Observations:

10/8 UNC vs Virginia Tech 

11/5 UNC vs Georgia Tech

11/19 UNC vs The Citadel

On these days, peaceful protests were held by students sitting down during the national anthem (EVEN DURING HURRICANE MATHEW, that’s dedication!) 

Members of the band have insisted on not playing AT ALL during the beginning of the game since they received so much backlash for taking a knee while playing. They end up sitting in the stands and then moving over to the band section to continue playing. 

Fact: They lost some sponsors for doing this protest.

Major Shout-Out to band members for standing up for what they believe in! 

Oh, I conducted an Interview... and found a cool mural called SERVICE. It’s 50-ft and pays tribute to the African Americans that impacted North Carolina’s history.  It’s similar to the last supper, but it’s staged at the historic 1960 sit-in in Greensboro where all of these activists are seated for lunch. 

It’s located in UNC School of Government.

Learn more @   https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/about/service-mural-school-government

[myprojectorwhatever]

Almost Forgot!

During Week 6, The Daily Tarheel (DTH for you newbies) released an entire page full of alumni supporting BLM! How awesome is that?? 

The center says, “Being a true Tar Heel is a special privilege with special traditions rooted in leadership and standing up for what is important. It means being part of something that is bigger than yourself and taking a vested interest in others and in your community. As Alumni of this great University, we are proud to see this tradition continue with those brave students who demonstrated during the national anthem at the start of the UNC v. Pitt football game on Saturday, September 24th-- making the statement that they will not stand for police brutality and that black lives DO matter. We, Alumni near and far, stand, kneel and sit with you Tar Heels, because this is what being a Tar Hell, and an American is all about.

“We are grateful,

We are proud, 

and we support you.” 

[myprojectorwhatever]

Week 6: I tried to switch topics.

I’m very indecisive. No matter how much work I already put into something I’m willing to scrap it all and start all the way over. (Luckily, Mr. Godwin was there to ensure that my topic was good enough to follow through with the one I just realized I had tons of work for!) If anyone’s interested in the second topic I wanted, I call it “College: Real Life vs. Expectation!” Below you can find the first memo for it since it never unfolded.

9/25 Irrelevant, but funny Memo:

*New theory: Some people obtain the usual college experience and some people don’t and they’re content with this.

-Why change of mind?

    Speaking at lunch with a few friends. We all shared a common ground of not partying too much and getting “white girl wasted every night”. One of my new freshman friends exclaimed some girls go out every night on a floor under her. Yipes!

(Ask me about ‘Ketchup Girl’ after Class)

[myprojectorwhatever]

The deeeeetails on the events.

Week 5 definitely came with a vengeance as students were in awe that a shooting happened so close to their homes. From this, there were various protests and demonstrations around campus. There was even carpooling for students to go out to Charlotte or opportunities to contribute by donating money/goods to the cause. As always, protests for police brutality certainly sparks motivation for the black community to come together

1) Charlotte, NC Protests 

-Within the past 5 years/always, police brutality has been the central issue within the black community that has finally gained mass recognition in media. After living in silence for so long, it’s like everyone’s prayers have been answered. 

(Here’s my best link surrounding the issue) 

http://heavy.com/news/2016/09/justin-carr-jroc-charlotte-riots-shooting-protester-killed-death-video-photos-police-charlotte-officer-facebook-demonstrator-omni-mother-ann/

Summary of the disbute: Who shot Justin Carr? Was it police or nearby citizen? 

2)  (9/23 Friday) Die-In 

The name of this demonstration sounds pretty freaky, but it gives people a sense of how many people have died at the hands of police and the numbers are still climbing. 

Location: The Pit (But I watched from the Lenoir Window for a better view)

-On a sunny afternoon around lunchtime, there was a demonstration held to protest the recent shooting in Charlotte, NC.  

-People were offered the opportunity to stand infront of the crowd to share their feeling on the situation to heal by having their voices heard.

-My friend stated, “So much power [in their words as each person got up to speak], I can see it in their expression.”

-Before the crowd dispersed into the union for the die-in, hugs were given left and right in group of people from multiple backgrounds showing support.

3) (9/24 Saturday) The First Football Game protest. 

-With every home game there’s a protest, but the very first one has been the only to make headline news with sports channels refusing to play the game in their city to due so many people “disrespecting the flag” by sitting down during the national anthem. 

[myprojectorwhatever]

Week 5: Raise Your Glasses forrr....

*My 6th-person that I’ve interviewed.

*Important topics finally being answered during an interview. (Break through!)

*Important events!

   -Charlotte Protests (and it’s impact on campus) 

9/23 Memo:

Updated Theory: Division on how to rid of popular issues is creating chaos. Black people are all fighting for social justice, but there’s not one route being followed.

Why change of mind?

          Due to Interview #3, with Justice.

Note:  After interviewing Steve and Tanika (Interview #4&#5), they enjoy like that people are willing to go different routes to combat the same issue and thought nothing of it creating chaos. They had :the more the merrier” mindset as if it gave more hope to solving problems within the black community.