The Black Student Union is a club on our campus at Anaheim High School that strives to give students a voice to speak on race issues and take action for change. The BSU club stemmed from the Black Lives Matter Taskforce in AUHSD following George Floyd protests in an initiative to establish a Black Student Union club on every campus. 

BSU is co-advised by Ms. Lang, an ELD teacher and track and field coach here at AHS. Ms. Lang replies when asked about her goals for BSU on our campus, “My biggest goal is for students to activate their own voice and their own platform and passions, and I give them the support to do that.” She also states, “My goal personally is to be that support, but the students need to give their action.” referring to her personal goals for the Black Student Union. 

Ms. Lang speaks to the importance of having a BSU club on our campus, stating, “It’s also a place to celebrate the history and the culture of our black community which is often made invisible by society at large, or our textbooks….” 

Chief Truby is the NJROTC and is also the BSU co-advisor. He is passionate when asked about his goals for BSU at Anaheim. “I think that it’s important enough to bring awareness to Anaheim…to understand that even in 2022, the society we live in today, there is such a divide and if you are aware of it and you don’t try to make a change or a difference, you are advocating.” 

When asked about his interpretation of what BSUs mission statement is, he replies, “Our focus is to build awareness, education, and understanding of what it is to be people of color in today’s society; I know that the title says BUS (Black Student Union) but he color can be deceiving, but we are people of color” about our school’s heavy Latinx population and speaking to how we should be united instead of split as minorities and people of color.  

BSU President Melanie Cuahutencos states, “BSU has a comforting atmosphere, and we always make sure that everyone feels comfortable. At BSU, we want to give members the chance to voice their opinions and thoughts.”

Although newly established BSU is a solid and powerful club on our campus that continues to strive towards its mission of empowering student voices and actions.