Hardin-Simmons Celebrates Diversity

(ABILENE, Texas)–When James B. Simmons contributed to the founding of Hardin-Simmons University, it was his belief that education should be available to all students no matter their race, 性别, 或者社会阶层. Simmons was a Baptist preacher who advocated for abolition before the Civil War 和 helped found seven colleges for freed slaves after the war because he knew the importance of education as a free citizen.

As stated on the university’s 网站, “Our students have big dreams, 和 HSU exists to instill the knowledge 和 nurture the confidence to identify 和 fulfill those dreams. We do that by embracing every student as a member of our family. You will matter at HSU, 和 you will matter to us when you go into the world.”

校园多样性

Known for his boycotts against unjust laws against African 美国ns, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. fought for civil rights until he was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Since 1986, Martin Luther King Jr. Day has been a national holiday celebrated every third Monday in January.

With Martin Luther King Jr. 即将来临的日子, students from the Black Student Union, 证明, 和 the Latin Student Union, 血液, share their thoughts on the upcoming holiday as well as how Hardin-Simmons has created a safe space to celebrate diversity.

“对我来说, Martin Luther King Day means two things; recognition 和 appreciation,” said Le和ria Thurman, 证明成员. “MLK Day shows that the country I live in, 美国, shows well-deserved recognition to a powerful African 美国n figure who fought for the civil rights black people enjoy today. 我很感激，博士. King, 和 the people who stood behind him because they helped give me the voice I have today.”

The officers of HSU’s Black Student Union, 证明, pose for a photo by Anderson Lawn.

According to 证明’s President, 朱万克劳福德, the organization was created with the intention of “reshaping the definition of diversity at HSU.” Crawford stated there was a lack of black representation on campus before 证明 和 felt it was necessary to create a Black Student Union for students of color to have a sense of community as well as a support system.

血液 was created in the fall semester of 2018 with the mission statement, “One blood united by faith 和 culture to educate 和 inspire change.” The club celebrates diversity in various forms during every event, 比如音乐, 餐, 和讨论.

“血液 is here to fulfill our mission statement to all of our students, 教师, 政府, 和 community as a whole,” said 血液’s President, 胡安·桑切斯. “Our membership is here for our Hispanic family to find a home away from home as we know it can be difficult to find a community on campus right away.”

The officers of HSU’s Latin Student Union, 血液, pose for a group photo.

“血液 is almost like home to me,” said 血液’s secretary, Maria Spinelli. “I am from Fort Worth, Texas, 和 most of my friends from back home are mostly Hispanic. Being a part of 血液 has definitely brought back that feeling, especially with the officers that are currently a part of 血液. In the very beginning of the 2018 school year, I had a hard time finding people I could relate to on a personal level. The moment I found out about 血液, I knew I had to join. The sense of feeling homesick was instantly gone.”

Crawford 和 Sanchez said the 教师, 工作人员, 和 professors at Hardin-Simmons have been very supportive by helping with coordinating events, 捐赠, 和 spreading the word about the club 和 its upcoming event. As both clubs continue to grow, the overall goal is to be inclusive while creating unity across campus.

要了解更多关于 证明 和 血液, look at the PG电子游戏 section on the HSU Website. For social media, follow 证明 on Instagram @HSU证明 和 血液 @HSU血液.