BSU, MOCA, and WOCA Unite for Trap N' Skate Event
At Holy Cross, the spirit of unity and celebration is in the air, as the college community navigates through a period of change and dialogue.
This week, Holy Cross is celebrating Unity Week, a response to the recent divisiveness on campus, as highlighted by Caroline Ahearn '20. The week-long event aims to foster a sense of unity and inclusivity among students, faculty, and staff.
Meanwhile, the Black Student Union (BSU), Men of Color Athletes (MOCA), and Women of Color Athletes (WOCA) recently hosted the annual Trap N' Skate event. The event, held at the Hart Center from 4-6 P.M. on Saturday the 17th, provided students with an opportunity to celebrate Black History Month while skating with friends. Patrick Ryan '27, who attended the event, shared his enjoyment, stating, "It was fun to see friends who don't know how to skate fall over and over again."
The Trap N' Skate event has been a tradition at Holy Cross, but the organization that has annually organized it remains unidentified in the provided search results. Despite this, the event was a great success, with students expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to come together and celebrate.
However, not all is positive on the Holy Cross campus. Non-athlete college students have historically expressed frustration over colleges prioritizing athletic facilities, as pointed out by Owen Garvey '27. This sentiment is further supported by criticisms that universities are not spending money on facilities for everyone. In fact, the library at Holy Cross is now open, but only to non-athletes, according to Owen Garvey '27.
In a significant move towards inclusivity, Holy Cross eliminated the reference to "Old Black Joe" from the school song "Mamie Reily" in 1969, following a student's petition. This decision reflects the college's ongoing commitment to addressing issues of racial insensitivity and promoting a more inclusive environment.
The college has also faced other challenges recently. Sexual misconduct allegations against multiple professors at Holy Cross have sparked historic responses, while an alleged hate crime against an LGBTQ+ student led to the inaugural ENGAGE Summit.
Looking ahead, the BSU is hosting another event in the coming weeks called BHM Sneaker Ball. The event promises to be a fun and exciting way for students to continue celebrating Black History Month.
As Holy Cross moves forward, it continues to navigate through a complex and evolving landscape, balancing tradition with change, and striving for a more inclusive and equitable community for all its members.
