By D. Thompson
Members of the American Indian Society of Washington, D.C. spoke to BSU students, faculty, and staff about the significance of social justice issues impacting indigenous people in the DMV and across the nation at a program in recognition of Native American Heritage Month.
The discussion focused on the struggles Native Americans cope with and how the Bowie State community can collaborate with them to create a more just society.
“Intersectionality helps the university community understand the relationship of power, privilege, and oppression faced by Black and Native American people,” said Keadrick Peters, coordinator of multicultural programs at BSU. “As the BSU community learns the hidden history and intersections of Black and Native American common struggles, we can collectively advocate for policy solutions to elected officials in Maryland and other states.”
Native Americans have faced generations of housing discrimination, harassment, poor education, sub-standard healthcare and high unemployment coupled with drug and alcohol abuse, depression and suicide. Today, approximately 22 percent of our nation’s Native Americans continue to live on tribal lands better known as reservations.
“It is important for the university to recognize Native people because the world believes that we no longer exist,” said Eva Austin, a Bowie State freshman psychology major and member of North Carolina’s Haliwa Saponi Tribe. “We want to be the voices for the Native Americans who were forced to discontinue their education and for those who died while fighting to get an education.”
“Over the years, Bowie State and HBCUs across the nation have fought to uplift struggles faced by marginalized groups,” said Peters. “The Office of Multicultural Programs and Services plans to make a concerted effort to host programs beyond Native American Heritage Month next semester to continue to spread awareness of Native American struggles as they relate to social justice challenges faced by women, Blacks, Asians, Muslims, and other ethnic or religious groups in America.”
“Bowie State values students of all nationalities, “said Noah Austin, Eva’s twin brother and a communications major. “We believe with the support of the university, we can come together as one to fight for justice for all.”
