When attending a Predominantly White Institution like LSU, some minority students can feel excluded, especially during Homecoming Week. With events deemed by some to be non-inclusive, a group of black seniors refused to allow this year’s Homecoming to follow the same path as years past.
Sponsored by the AACC Ambassadors, Black Student Union and LSU NAACP, Black LSU Homecoming, or Black to Homecoming, is a weeklong extravaganza of events during LSU’s traditional Homecoming Week catering to the University’s black student population.
The idea originally surfaced in 2015 when a group of students decided to create the “12 Percent Awards” to award black students and faculty in a variety of areas, followed by the annual Black Student Union gala. Students used this as a guide to create Black to Homecoming.
“I was never interested in any of the events LSU put on for us during Homecoming Week,” said mass communication senior Amari Wilson.
Traditional homecoming events include Splatterbeat, CANapalooza and a rave after the homecoming concert. In contrast, some Black to Homecoming events include TRAP Karaoke and the NPHC Step Show.
“I think since, traditionally, Homecoming events are not structured with the entire population in mind. [Black to Homecoming] allows us a chance to get an LSU Homecoming experience,” said political science senior Terri Smith.
After the killing of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, the black community’s distrust of police grew locally and nationally. As the court decision of the involved officer’s fate swiftly approaches, along with various Black Lives Matter protests underway, tensions are at an all-time high.
“Especially after the summer we had in Baton Rouge with Alton Sterling and the flood, and the DKE banner, we wanted black students to feel like their place here at LSU still mattered,” said sports administration senior Destinee’ Merida.
Mass communication senior Jonathan Brown said he thinks Black to Homecoming will give black students an opportunity to expel any frustration garnered from the aforementioned incidents in a fun and positive way.
“I feel that the Black to Homecoming provides students, especially black students, a diversified and safe space to congregate and share a mutual understanding of LSU,” Brown said.
The first event, TRAP Karaoke, occurred Monday night. Students took to the stage and performed karaoke songs from their favorite trap and gangsta rap musicians, soliciting copious amounts of laughter and applause from the crowd.
Songs performed included Lil Boosie’s “Set it Off,” WNC Whop’s “You Know How I Play It” and Crime Mob’s “Knuck if you Buck.”
Students took to social media to give their opinions on the event, using phrases like “lit”, “hype” and “fire.”
The next Black to Homecoming event will be a date auction on Wednesday.
“I’m excited to see how the date auction goes. I have a feeling it’s going to be hilarious,” Smith said.
Since the events have garnered a positive reaction from students so far, committee members said they hope Black to Homecoming continues long after their departure from the University.
Events for the rest of the week are as follows:
Wednesday – Date Auction at 7 p.m. in the French House
Thursday – Homecoming Concert ft. The Internet at 8:30 p.m. on the Parade Ground
Friday – NPHC Step Show at 7:30 p.m. in the Union Theater
Saturday – AACC Tailgate at noon at the AACC and the D9 Experience Tailgate at 11 a.m. in Unity Park
Sunday – BSU Gala at 7:30 p.m. in the Cotillion Ballroom

Gallery • 10 Photos

Haskell Whittington

Local NAACP chapter puts on a karaoke night on Monday Sept. 26, 2016, in the LSU Student Union.