There have been many examples this semester of progress in minority representation on campus, specifically in the LGBT, African-American and Asian-American student communities.
Bills were introduced in this year’s Louisiana legislative session geared toward the equal and fair treatment of LGBT people, though the termination of these bills led to disappointments among the LGBT community. Overall, the simple introduction of the bills were signs of change and progress in LGBT equality.
Such bills include the Crimes Against Nature Repeal, the Louisiana Open Housing Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Michael Beyer, Spectrum panel coordinator, told The Daily Reveille in April the termination of the Crimes Against Nature Repeal was unexpected, but not necessarily a prediction for the success of future bills.
“I think it’s hard to vote on sex, and there were so many different misconceptions going around,” Beyer said.
The Asian American Ambassadors hosted their first Cultural Heritage Showcase this semester in an attempt to educate the student population about Asian culture and make their presence known on campus. The showcase was completely student-run, though sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
Catherine Nguyen, mass communication sophomore and public relations advocate for AAA, was a performer and one of the masters of ceremonies for the showcase. She said the small size and newborn nature of AAA will not stop the organization from growing and expanding.
“Even though we are new, it doesn’t mean we can’t do big events,” Nguyen said. “It takes a team effort, and we always work as a team.”
The African-American and African communities on campus were represented this semester with extensive Black History Month celebrations and African Week festivities. Black History Month featured numerous lecture series and events focused on entertaining, educating and enlightening the student population.
Allan Purcell, graduate assistant in African-American Student Affairs, told The Daily Reveille in February the lecture series is a way to evolve the approach of learning African-American history on campus during Black History Month.
“While in 2014, the issue of civil rights is very different from in the past, we still need to remember and learn from the past to not repeat the same mistakes,” Purcell said.
While the African-American community celebrated an important month of history, the African Student Organization made their own handprint on campus with their African Week events.
Native Nigerian and ASO President Biola Ige said in March she hopes to leave a legacy of cultivating awareness when she graduates because her experiences with the International Cultural Center and the African student population on campus have had such a major effect on her life while at the University.
“You’ll be surprised how many people will celebrate with you,” Ige said.
“You’ll be surprised how many people will celebrate with you.”