Fight For Southern, TrulyA Fight for All

In the 2016 Fall Semester, among an uproar of potential SGA misconduct, alumni disrespect and administrative silence, many students expected a voice of reason to rise above the fray. To calm flaring tempers and set back on track, what had been wronged. To ease the dissemination of misinformation wrought by twitter fingers, memes and the immature back and forth occurring on social media. Sadly, that hope never came but what did, was perfect timing. Winter break eased the culmination of opinions, posts and language that had become less of a debate and more of a circus show, but not before the damage was done and nearly every HBCU – from Grambling, Louisiana to Washington D.C. – could look upon the wreckage created by our elected student government and laugh at the absurdity of it all.
To describe what occurred last semester, it can be perfectly explained by examining the old adage, “Politics on the University campus are the worst of all kinds of politics because the stakes are so small.” A central tenant of the quote is held together by the impossibly of the student government politicians we elect to check their ego’s at the door and, God forbid, serve the students that elected them in the first place, parking spaces, stipends and popularity not withstanding. On January 8, students began returning to the yard to begin their Spring semester, and what has been notably absent the past few weeks is any recognition that what occurred was wrong, unprofessional or unbefitting of individuals who represent thousands of men and women from all walks of life. Let’s ask ourselves, “Is this who we are as a Jaguar Nation?”
As I write this, America’s 45th President, Donald. J. Trump, is being sworn into office and with his presidency comes a corollary of racist antics, nominees and right wing ideological policies soon to wreak havoc on our door steps. The next four years will be a burden for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to navigate. With this comes a responsibility of our SGA and administration to rise above petty conflicts and unite students. A more inclusive, respectful and active student body, full participation within the HBCU experience and student organizations have been the stalwart ideals hundreds of students have fought for since 1880.
Keep this in mind the next three months, in time for Spring elections, where a significantly fewer crop of candidates will litter the yard with signs, unique slogans and campaign promises. Look at who has been there, who’s not afraid to fight. Who among that crowd can be a leader ready to rally the troops and stand up for you? Dear Southern, now is the time to take a real stand, the stakes are far too high and we have everything to lose.