Julian Cook, a 2013 alumnus and Boston University seminarian, returned to campus to address the college community on how minorities feel about President Donald Trump’s election. This is the second year Cook, the former president of Black Heritage Club (BHC), has returned to address chapel. Cook was also slated to host a discussion on racial minorities’ feelings and concerns on Tuesday evening, but his flight was delayed due to poor weather.
Dean of the chapel, Michael Jordan, stated that he expected Cook will challenge some people. He said, “He will likely not leave people feeling as if a variety of perspectives on this issue are all equally valid. I hope he challenges those students who disagree with him politically to think about how they can listen well and respond with genuine empathy, kindness and love. I hope he heartens the students that agree with him.”
Donald Trump, who won the presidency with the lowest minority vote in the presidential race in the past forty years, has been accused by several elected officials, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY-D) of making public comments against minority groups– especially African Americans, Hispanics, and the LGBT community.
Ky’Asia Blanchard ‘20 said she’s “hoping that this will make people on this campus willing to listen.”
Joe Miner ‘18 stated the conversation “matters because a lot of voices in America don’t get heard and we need to hear those voices because they are just as American as the others.”
Khadeeja Smith ‘18, the president of BHC,, is hopeful the talk will spark an understanding and “positive conversation where many voices are heard and people leaving with a better understanding of the effects of Donald Trump’s language.” She continued, “I am hoping that this talk will open the eyes of many non-minority students to what the effect of Donald Trump’s language in his presidential election can do to minority students on campus.”