StM! Tim PresiiMnk Is fcMiim • • •
Commentary From BSM President Kristi Booker
Ever since Carmen asked (forced) me to
write this article for the Black Ink, I have
been struggling over exactly what 1 should
write about.
The truth is that I'm absolutely terrible
at writing things like this. If it's a specific
topic for class, I have no problem; but leave
me to write about anything and my mind is
all over the place. Not to mention my fear
of the fact that a lot of talented writers are
going to be looking at this, already I'm
worried about my punctuation, 'speling',
and word choice.
For those of you who don't know me, I
am a senior, Spanish and Communications
major from Charlotte, N.C. I've been
involved with the Black Student
Movement since my freshman year when I
joined Ebony Readers Onyx Theatre and
the Political Action Committee. My
involvement with the BSM has increased
every year and has now culminated with
the honor of being its president.
It's really funny to me how people say,
"Kristi is always protesting!" They think I
yelled at the doctor for smacking me when
I was born. (I didn't do that by the way.)
People associate me with militancy and
black power but I'm not as 'black power'
as people think. I am militant to the point
of being ready, which is what militant
means. I realize that there is a time when
taking action is necessary, when words just
aren't enough. If I feel that that time has
come, I won't hesitate to act. I will always
speak my mind and I will always stand up
for what I believe in, but always with a
purpose.
I am truly excited about this year and
the opportunity to lead this organization.
When I ran for president, I wanted to
emphasize both the political and cultural
aspects of the Black Student Movement.
We have accomplished that through the
success of our Coronation Ball, our co
sponsorships with groups such as Sangam
and the Muslim Student Association, and
our upcoming racial profiling forum with
Chief Poarch of the campus police.
I must commend the general body for
its amazing support of every BSM function
we have had this year. None of these
things would be a success without you,
and I hope to see your continued support
throughout this year.
I apologize if this seems a bit random
but right now. I'm going to throw caution
to the wind and write exactly what's on my
mind. I'm sure that like many of you, the
events of September 11, 2001 made me
reevaluate the priorities I've made in my
life. I don't think any of us will forget that
day, nor will we forget exactly what we
were doing and thinking as we learned of
what was going on in our country.
My only sister is a reporter in D C., and
I still get chills when I think about those 15
minutes (which seemed like hours) when I
couldn't reach her. I didn't know if she
was scared, if she was safe, or if she was
hurt. Thank God she is fine, but I hope I
never experience that feeling again. I also
think about the people who, like me,
scrambled to reach their loved ones, and
still, a few weeks later, have not gotten a
response, and maybe never will.
In my Comm 63 class. Performance of
African-American literature, we just fin
ished reading "Their Eyes Were Watching
God." There is a segment in the book
when a hurricane rips through a town.
The wind is blowing, rain is pouring, trees
are being uprooted, and buildings are
falling apart. In the midst of all this, the
author describes the people as having their
eyes focused on God. That's how I feel
about our country now, as the threat of war
looms over us. We hold peace vigils, we
donate blood, we lead ribbon campaigns,
we try to return our lives to some sem
blance of normalcy, but our eyes are watch
ing God.
Now, I would like to encourage all of
you to not take anything for granted. Take
the time to enjoy your surroundings and
the people that fill them, call that friend
you haven't spoken to in months, forgive
that person you haven't spoken to in years,
find success in every situation, celebrate all
your victories, and cherish all your cele
brations. Most importantly, keep your
eyes focused on God.