BSU holds first student march in remembrance of Selma

Black Student Union (BSU) led a student march in remembrance of the Selma March, on Feb. 24.

The Selma March was held in 1965 to ensure that African Americans could exercise their right to vote. BSU remembered the Selma March to recognize the work of civil rights activists and how they were able to pave the way for Black people to be seen as equals. 

The march began at the Niebuhr statue, moved to Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel and around the Elmhurst University Mall, with BSU President Raven Rhone playing music as the students marched. The group wanted to include the chapel in the route so other students would notice. 

“We picked this specifically because we thought this was the heart of the school, so regardless, if you are walking from any of the five buildings around you are going to see us,”  said BSU Public Relations Chair Jorden Young-Gentry

At the end of the march, the students stopped outside Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel, where EU Chaplain Scott Matheney led the group in a prayer and gave time to reflect on the importance of what the attendees did and why it was impactful. 

BSU was pleased with how the march turned out and hopes that it can turn into an annual event.  

“We know on this campus we do lack representation and they’re trying to do more diversity and inclusion, but I feel like we are still lacking on the inclusion part,” said Young-Gentry. “We wanted to show not just Black students, but everyone on campus the quarter of what other civil rights activists were able to do and show that the least we can do is march around this campus.”