BSU’s history in a mural
At the beginning of the year, the Black Student Union executive board members came to a consensus about redoing the BSU office: fresh face, fresh look, fresh feel.
Out with the dull white paint and in with the new. This idea of reviving the office with a mural was placed in my hands in regard to the actual design.
I thought that the concept for the first wall would be a creative canvas of figureheads from different walks of life who represent different aspects of our liberation struggle: international, political, artistic, and radical freedoms.
I chose Nelson Mandela, Langston Hughes and Angela Davis.
I chose these people because they are important figures in African-American history and not the redundant icons like Martin Luther King.
The second wall is more focused on the Black Student Union that is established here on campus.
Starting with the Stephens Hall clock tower, because of its historical relevance, the second mural encompasses the lion, the black panther and the tiger as a symbolic timeline of black people in general.
The lion represents Africa, the black panther represents our struggle for rights, and the tiger representing us as Towson students.
Above it is the date 1970, when Towson BSU was first established, along with the logo.
The base of the mural starts off with the African symbol of Sankofa and is crowned with the symbolic fern, which is a plant that grows in harsh conditions.
The Sankofa is an African symbol that means you must look back into your past to go forward.
There are a lot of symbolic elements, but the most engaging part is the black bands made with chalk paint.
This mini Freedom Square allows people to make people be interactive with the mural.
Overall, the main goal of the mural was to revive the office from looking like a jail cell to becoming a welcoming place upon which to reflect.
We had a lot of support from the administrative staff and other members of BSU, to whom we are highly grateful.
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Huh one would think that painting a black panther to show “struggle for civil rights” would seem a bit controversial. I thought that the peaceful civil rights movement would be appropriate. Obviously the symbol of gun toting thugs who killed police officers, committed robberies, extortion, and were connected to the “Zebra murders” in California that were racially driven murders that killed 16 obviously should be the symbol of the BSU… right?
How could Nelson Mandela the south African be an important person in African American history?
Obviously a man who ordered the Church Street bombings and hundreds of other violent acts deserves a place on this mural. The same man who was offered freedom on several occasions if only he would renounce violence and use peaceful techniques to work for political change. The combination of a black panther, Nelson Mandela, and the very notion of celebrating the militant action that started the BSU in 1970 just seems to paint a picture of black nationalism and extremism.
Wait a story was posted about the BSU?! This has no impact on my life and I’m obviously going to put them down no matter WHAT the article says, but I still really feel compelled to go and comment to show my ignorance! This’ll be great!
Are you still here Matt?
Not sure how pointing out that the BSU is openly endorsing a terrorist is “showing my ignorance” Isn’t it a bit distressing that a man who by his own admission ordered bombs that killed men, women, and children is being glorified by our Black Student Union?
To liken the Black Panthers to a terrorist organization is a very disturbing classification. You see, a terrorist organization is one that operates with the one goal, which is to incite fear into those they terrorize. The Black Panthers was exactly the opposite. They may have used methods that are deemed as extreme to those who don’t understand the weight of being discriminated, and terrorized for the color of their skin. (And trust me, waking up to a burning cross in your front lawn is terror enough for most people). They were a militant organization who were extremely familiar with, and operated within the confines of the law to achieve their goals. Besides, what terrorists do you know, started programs to feed the underprivileged youth in their community for years? Do a little research before you classify.
Actually I was referring to Nelson Mandela as a terrorist because he did openly use terror to intimidate and murder innocent people. But lets address the Black Panthers. If killing cops and whites to promote a political agenda is acceptable then I guess we can consider Hamas a political group. They create school programs, feed the needy, and provide medical care. I mean of course they openly call for the eradication of the Jewish people and work for the destruction of Israel, but obviously because they do some community service that makes them a civil rights organization right? Let’s be real honest for a second, the Black Panthers are just the Black version of the KKK. They murdered innocent people, openly committed extortion of businesses in their own communities, and used intimidation tactics to advance a political agenda. They were thugs and nothing more.
Woahhhhhh Matt, did you really just say the Klan and the Black Panther Party were essentially the same, sans race? I recommend you do some research on both organizations. The KKK was founded with the sole purpose of terrorizing and killing those who they did not like. Do you know how many backwoods lynchings, tarring and featherings, and brutal murders the klan was apart of? The black panther party had a legitimate political and social agenda, that was so close to making an actual difference that the head of the FBI actually personally oversaw the destruction of them along with the police assassination of their leader. You should research COINTELPRO if you want to know the truth on that. You really have to do more research before you make wild and unfounded comments like that.
Just when you thought Matt H couldn’t put his foot any deeper into his mouth…BAM!
Rather than continuing to bicker…
Congratulations to the BSU on the transformation of their office space. The BSU is one of the most well-organized and active members of the campus that do many great things to serve their intended audience. They have a rich history, and it sounds as if the murals only add to this message.
Great job, Shawnte.
I think the last comment is really the best follow up to this story. Thank you for modeling the appropriate response.
Wow Matt H is a effing idiot. If you are still in college and you think like that I certainly hope that you do not get a job.
Groups like the Klan and Hamas are essentially the same thing. They may provide some services to the community, but you cannot have me believe that over 400 Black Panther members in the late 60s and early 70s were convicted of violent crimes because of the FBI’s secret plot. The FBI was concerned about the BPP because it was dangerous! And lets look at the leader of the Black Panthers. Huey P Newton was convicted of stabbing a man back in 1964, then he admitted to killing Police Officer John Frey and bragged about it after his release, he shot and killed a 17 year old girl named Kathleen Smith in 1974 and then ran to Cuba to avoid justice. That sounds not only like a leader of a criminal enterprise, but a bloodthirsty thug. He killed kids, cops, and then bragged about it.. That is who you want to support?
Wikipedia—-> black panther party——> controversy
Read that section and tell me the black panther party was a “good” organization.
By your standards the Police could be considered a “criminal enterprise”.
Mike…you aren’t SERIOUSLY offering Wikipedia as confirmation, right? Oh boy…you are, aren’t you?
Fine go to Wikipedia and use the citations there as more reliable information if you please. The fact that you’re completely unwilling to accept FACTS such as high profile members commiting crimes and bragging about it. As well as significant amounts of low level members going to jail is pretty pathetic
I mean shooting a 17 year old girl for calling you “baby” while passing you on the street or blowing away a cop who had a family because you were violating your own probation sounds exactly like a criminal thug not a “freedom fighter”. The whites who were killed by the black panthers had families, were fathers or mothers, and never got to go home to their children because of black supremacists who used murder and fear to push a political agenda. The Black Panthers are not people to be honored
As usual Matt is committed to presenting only one side of the story. How’s that broad brush working out for you? Not very well from what I understand.
Maybe you can discuss it at the next YWC meeting? Oh wait…perhaps not.
Is there another side to the story of murdering a 17 year old girl? Seems pretty cut and dry to me
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