To celebrate Black History Month, the MATC Times hit the Downtown Campus to get a student perspective and talked to two student leaders in Men of Color Initiative (MOCI) and the Black Student Union (BSU).

Question: When it comes to Black History Month, how would you define it?

Respondent: William Musoke

“Black History Month is a reminder of my heritage and a reminder of where I come from, East Africa, Uganda. And, when it comes to us celebrating our originality, our origin with everybody else, it’s like my culture coming back to its roots and getting a chance to be exhibited out there to show this greater light … .to the people of this world where color means everything.”

Respondent: Steve Williams

“Black History Month to me is a celebration of everything. From the people, the culture, to every little thing that we have done in the past, the present, the future. It’s the one month where I feel very proud to be who I am and where I come from and all of my family ties. And, it’s just one of those months where going back and learning about these great people, that did things and even the future people that (are) going to do things. It’s just one of those times to really fortify our Blackness and be in the essence of being a Black person.”

Question: What would you like to see happen, that would bring unity and solidarity to the community?

Respondent: William Musoke

“I would like to remind everybody that regardless of the color that we have, there is one common thing (we) have (pause) the same spirits, and our brains have the same color, our blood is the same color. So, this time should be a time that teaches everybody else that thinks differently, to remember that besides the shell that we hold on the outside, we are all the same on the inside. So, it should be a time to not brag about being Black, but to make somebody love the Black, the white and every other color.”