space constraints I can't
address each one, though
numbers 9 and 18 do stick out
in my head as ones I particu
larly support. However, I can
not say that I support all of the
demands. It is a thin line
between pushing for progress
and pushing for self-impor
tance. I believe that the BSM
serves a useful purpose on
campus right now, but I hope
that someday in the future
(however far away it may be)
there will be no need for the
BSM to help black students
understand their history and
culture or to protect them from
the rampant racism that we
have known and still know.
Do you think the BSM is
racially based or exclusive?
Why or why not? I know that
the BSM is not racially exclu
sive. However, I do believe it is
racially based simply because
it exists to advocate for and
protect the rights and free
doms of black students here at
UNC. I don't see the fact that it
is racially based as being bad,
it is simply necessary. Though
I see its platform and direct
purpose as being racially
based I do not see its effects as
racially based. When equality
and equal-rights are firmly
established it benefits all stu
dents regardless of race
because of the more open and
comfortable environment of
free exchange it creates. When
there is bigotry and racism
running rampant, tension and
division rules and all suffer.
Ask the BSM a question.
With the majority of candi
dates this year being white,
how receptive do you think
the candidates will be to the
concerns and requests of the
BSM and do you think that
any sensitivity to those con
cerns will be sincere or simply
faked in order to win votes?
What is the most important
issue you feel minorities face
on this campus and why? As
a minority I think there are a
lot of issues that we all face.
Justin Young
Junior, Biology/Psych
but the most important issue is
the general apathy of the stu
dent body about diversity and
interaction. We all know that
positive race relations are a big
issue on campus, but few actu
ally practice what they preach.
We stay separate when we
party, when we sit in class, and
when we sit in the Pit. We
need to start a dialogue.
Why are you running for
Student Body President -real
ly? ( no middle of the road or
general "I want to help the
students" answers please) Too
often, the opportunities pro
vided by student government
are hoarded by a handful of
ambitious, elite students. The
vast majority of students know
that student government is a
tiny, select group of students
that don't represent the actual
student body or do much of
anything at all. 1 can change
that. We're all tired of the
power-hungry politicos who
join student government to
build their resumes and keep
everyone else away from the
opportunities. I want to share
those opportunities and grant
access to more people. All stu
dents must have unlimited
access to student government,
to the Chancellor and the
administration, to the Board of
Trustees, to the Board of
Governors, and to the deci
sions that will affect their lives
here at Carolina. Basically,
Carolina has made a huge
impact on my life and I just
want to return the favor!
What sets you apart from any
other candidate attending our
BSM forum? From working
on the STV comedy show Off
the Cuff to working within
Student Government as an
Executive Assistant to helping
create a student group in
Project UNC that focuses on
improving our community to
being a part of the Campus Y,
not to mention my member
ship in the BSM since I've been
here, the incredibly diverse
range of experiences I have
had at Carolina have given me
a unique perspective on cam
pus life. In many of these
activities, I have served as the
sole voice of the minority com
munity, tirelessly working for
tolerance and inclusion. As
director of Freshman Camp, I
increased African-American
involvement and improved
relations with Pre-O. I'm will
ing to take on just about any
thing. I can throw a grenade,
shoot an M-16, and once per
formed in the circus. Is there
another candidate that has
done any of those?
If you were locked in a room
with all 500 members of the
BSM for 30 seconds right
before they went to vote, and
you could say only three
words, what would they be?
Uhuru Ni Upinduzi
Would you be in that same
room with 500 a.
African American students, b.
Black students, c. Students, d.
none of the above? EXPLAIN.
D. NONE OF THE ABOVE. I
would be in that room with
500 brothers and sisters. The
BSM should be like a family,
and that family should be as
diverse as it can be. I want to
see a BSM full of people of all
colors, dedicated to the com
mon goals espoused by our
Preamble. The walls of
Upendo Lounge should be full
of all types of members and
allies. All groups, both minori
ties and others, should realize
our common struggles and feel
welcome at our meetings.
Are you familiar with the 22
demands of the BSM? How
do you feel about them? The
original 22 Demands of the
BSM formed the basis for the
present-day black educational
experience here at the
University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill. Not only did
the demands bring about
changes for the black commu
nity, but they also opened the
doors for other minorities as
well. Behind the 22 Demands
lies the essence of equal oppor
tunity. They present hope for
all students on this campus,
and should help motivate
other groups to reclaim their
missed opportunities. I fully
support the 22 Demands of the
BSM and look forward to
fighting for them once in
office.
Why is it important to you to
have the BSM's support in
this election? Over the past
three years, my membership in
the BSM has shown me the
integrity, importance, and
power of the organization. I
deeply share the values
emlDodied in the Preamble of
the Black Student Movement. I
know in my heart that no
other candidate is more dedi
cated to the ideals of diversity,
tolerance, and equality than I
am. Ultimately, I hope to
receive the support of the BSM
in this election so that I can
earn the respect of all students
on this campus by working to
build and improve minority
life at Carolina.
Ask the BSM a question.
What does diversity truly
mean to you?
February 2001
10