Anyone who has considered joining a group on campus knows there are dozens to choose from. Some are related to majors, and some are related to hobbies. Many people join clubs because they want to try something new.
Multicultural clubs are not always related to students’ degrees and maybe they are not focused on a favorite hobby, but that does not mean they should be written off. These groups have provided several of my most rewarding college experiences.
Who has seen WASA (Wyoming African Students Association) drumming at an event? Anyone who has is probably impressed with their energy. It turns out that WASA is not just fun when they drum; I have attended several events with WASA members present and they are always a blast to hang out with. Now I know that many people are thinking, “But I’m not African.” The cool thing about WASA is that you do not have to be African to join. They accept anyone, and when you are part of the group, they make you feel welcome.
Association of Black Student Leaders (ABSL) also accepts people who are not black. After all, the two co-presidents are white. So what is the advantage of joining? They teach at local schools, host panel discussions, community dinners, and give out free hot chocolate paired with black history facts.
There are also several other multicultural groups on campus. Have you heard of MEChA, the Chicano student association? What about Multicultural Advocates for Women’s Empowerment, Keepers of the Fire, and Asian American and Pacific Islanders Association? You do not have to be a certain race or ethnicity to join any of these groups — they accept everyone.
United Multicultural Council is a group that works to unite all these different organizations.
Besides providing experiences that will be valuable later, these organizations are a great way to make friends and have a good time. I encourage everyone to check out one of these organizations. They are easy to find if you just pay a visit to the Multicultural Resource Center in the Union. It does not hurt to show up at one meeting. You could make friends, help plan a cool event, or even (as impossible as it may seem) learn something.
