Manhattan High’s Black Student Union went beyond their usual activities for the upcoming month at their after school meeting last week. Conversation at the meeting turned to trending issues in America and problems within communities of people of color. BSU spent time planning their February agenda, too.

The group even conversed their worries in regard to the new president, Donald Trump, including their concern over the wall he plans to build. The members of BSU also took the time to watch a video of one of his speeches regarding the black community specifically. The members attempted to find the silver lining amongst the chaos they discussed, but couldn’t quite shake their skepticism.

“Do you fight against him or do you walk with him?” BSU president Adanna Okere asked.

BSU additionally considered the ways the media plays a role on how our president is perceived.

“Whether we like it or not, Trump has been iconic,” freshman Trey Burklund said. “He’s a reality TV star. People see him, they know who he is. It’s with music, it’s with television, it’s with film.”

Relating to media, BSU discussed the way hypermasculinity is shown in movies and television, including same-sex relationships.

“It’ll push you to do things you don’t want to do because you want to [man up],” Okere said.

The group stepped back to reflect on the reasons hypermasculinity is so hard on the African-American community.

“[There’s] no representation of gays [in African-American films],” senior Elora Root said.

The group was honest and clear on how they believe the African-American culture views homosexuality.

“The African-American community generally hates same-sex [representation],” Okere said.

Some members threw a positive spin into the hard-hitting conversation, bringing optimism into play.

“We’re the next generation. We can teach our kids to [love],” freshman Mbofho Ndou said.

Though the club talked about politics and social issues, the members also discussed more lighthearted topics such as Black History Month, which is in February.

BSU has a handful of ideas coming Manhattan’s way. The club is sorting out plans for a field trip, making posters, holding a heritage day and straightening out the other kinks of representing Black History Month the best they can for the month of February. BSU is also holding their second annual poetry slam on Feb. 28, with the topic being unity.