Summary:

On April 22nd, 2021, the Black Student Union club of John Abbot College was suspended for failing to comply with a newly created by-law in the SUJAC (Student Union of the College) club manual, stating that no club could have the word “union” in their title and there could only be ONE Union; the Student Union of the College. The by-law in question was added to the club manual as a reprimand to the Black Student Union club after they met with members of the school administration to discuss the issue of systemic racism within John Abbott College, a predominantly White institution. Black Student Union members were asked several times to change their name, however, they unanimously agreed to keep the name “Black Student Union''. But on April 22nd, the BSU executive members were given an ultimatum: Change the club name or lose the club budget and their status as a John Abbott College club. Black Student Union executive members chose the latter. 

Our take:

Over the past year, the Black Student Union club has rebranded itself as an activist club by organizing a large number of events, such as a systemic racism awareness week, a college-wide minute of silence for victims of slavery and Black History Month activities. However, it is a meeting with the administration that was apparently a breach of SUJAC’s rules for clubs, that put us in trouble. For us to be punished over a technicality that could have been resolved by SUJAC is truly hurtful; we are being punished for taking a step toward achieving systemic change, making JAC a more inclusive environment and pushing to equalize SUJAC and the BSU. By disbanding the Black Student Union, SUJAC eliminated the only organization that fought for, and amplified Black voices, while promoting cultural diversity at JAC. In other words, they silenced Black voices on campus.