Black Student Union

HISTORY OF THE PRINCIPIA BSU

Introduction

Since the late 1960’s black students associations, in partnership with white alumni, trustees, presidents, administrators, faculty, and staff, at Principia College have called attention to The Principia: alumni, trustees, CEO, presidents, administrators, faculty, staff and students about blatant and subtle, latent and patent, conscious and unconscious episodes of racial and ethnic discrimination on Principia’s college campus.

Founded on a trinity of Love, Education and Agency, black student organizations at Principia College, have for several decades, stood as gatekeepers at the portal of erroneous racial suggestions. Relying on Love as their breastplate, black students have always turned firstly, as practitioners of Christian Science metaphysics, to the power of divine Love to heal all (included their own) mortal mind suggestions regarding the reification of race and racism.

Relying on Education at the Principia as their vanguard, black students have always turned to Mrs. Morgan’s principles to first illuminate behavior based on ignorance and fear. 

As a result of the efforts of black student associations and many whites, critical inroads have been made in identifying un-Principled behavior towards students of color and women at Principia. As a consequence, Principia’s purpose continues to proceed from divine Principle.

The Black Christian Scientist at The Principia

In the fall of 1968, six months after the assignation of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; one year after “the long hot summer” of race rebellions in: New York City, Atlanta, Buffalo, Detroit, Milwaukee and New Haven; and three years after the assignation of Malcom X, the second of only 2 African Americans ever to be accepted attended Principia College. Still, these were the days when both Confederate Flags and Native American logos and mascots were still used as symbols of house pride for Brooks South and Rackham East respectively. These were the days when a white woman student could be summoned to the Dean of Women for dating a black male student. Indeed, these were the days when a senior white women student was heard to ask the only black on campus, “I’ve always wanted to know, what color is Negro blood?” Such symbols, behaviors and ignorance are only a sampling of the political, social and moral atmosphere the first blacks to attend Principia College found themselves.

The next year more African and African American students were enrolled and not long afterwards the first formal organization to address the needs and concerns of black Principians was formed. The first faculty advisor for the black Principians was Dr. Charles Hosmer. Dr. Hosmer has the distinction of creating the first course, Black History, about the history of African Americans at Principia.

The first black student organization was first known as The Black Christian Scientist at The Principia. These first gatherings were the earliest attempts to heal, inform and eradicate ideas based upon racial discrimination. More commonly known as the BCS, The Black Christian Scientist at The Principia’s initial goal and objectives were twofold. Firstly, the organization sought a metaphysical oasis away from the seemingly real suggestion of racially discriminatory behavior on campus. Secondly, the organization sought a safe “harbor” and refuge were Black students could share their experiences, their agape, their pain, and their frustrations about their aberrant treatment at Principia. Thirdly, the organization sought sanctuary where forums could be planned to educated themselves and the Principia community about the causes and consequence of their seemingly discriminatory treatment. One memorable forum created by the BCS, which attempted to educate the Principia community about the cultural significant of African and African Americans, was The Pamoja Conference.

The Pamoja Conference–a Swahili term for “togetherness” was held in mid-February, 1972. Here’s how the 1972 Principia Yearbook, The Sheaf, reported the Pamoja conference:

“Pamoja – a “togetherness” conference held in mid-February, confronted the Principia community’s ignorance of “Black Culture.” Neither emphasizing race difference nor teaching Whites how to relate to the Black man, this conference sponsored by the School of Government and planned by a Black-White committee, presented various aspects of the Black Culture through the use of African and Black American speakers, films, discussions, and dance. Though Pamoja was poorly attended, there was a caring among those who respected themselves enough to discover the beauty of another people’s culture.”

The Black Student Union At The Principia

Over the years, from 1970’s until today, interest in The Black Christian Scientist at The Principia organization ebbed and rose over the years in accordance with “black” enrollment, black interest and the degree of the support for the organization. Ultimately, in keeping in line with like college institutions The Black Christian Scientist at The Principia became The Black Student Union At The Principia.

Over the years the BSU has established, supported, attended, sponsored and/or created:

All Campus Conferences
Off Campus Conferences
All Campus Speakers
All Campus Colloquims and Dialogues
All Campus Workshops
All Campus Plays
All Campus Poetry Reads
All Campus Christian Science Lesson Reads
Editorials for the Pilot
Conflict Resolution & Mediation on Issue regarding race
All Campus Fashion Shows
All Campus Dances

And, throughout it’s inception black organizations at Principia have had to continually confront the same questions:

Aren’t black organizations at Principia separatist groups?
By forming, joining and supporting a black student organization at Principia aren’t black students demonstrating an ungratefulness for Principia’s financial support?
Why is there a need for a black organization at a Christian Science college?
If, as Christian Scientist, we belief there is no such thing as “race” why should there be a black organization at Principia?
Why do all the blacks (now all the International) students sit together in the dining room?
Why can’t white students join the BSU?

The membership (of all colors and nationalities) would lovingly invite you to visit a BSU meeting anytime for answers to these and any additional questions you may have. For the BSU, with lovingkindness, I am Billy Miller.