MUNCIE, Ind. – Ball State’s Latinx Student Union (LSU) has been providing Latinx students at the university a sense of community for over ten years. They most recently held an event where members and other students made indigenous bracelets.
The colors of beads for these bracelets have meanings, such as green for healing, red for life or strength, black for power, yellow for growth, white for peace and blue for wisdom. Each person's bracelets have a unique meaning for them.
Other than just making meaningful bracelets, LSU’s community-building events have been useful for first-generation college students such as Juan Cuahuizo-Ocelotl, Secretary for LSU.
“Having LSU here around campus has been really great,” said Cauhuizo-Ocelotl. “I made a lot of connections with the students here.”
LSU has also helped members feel comfortable by finding others with similar backgrounds and cultures.
“Being able to find a space where I feel comfortable being myself and being around people who look like me and have the same experiences growing up makes me feel very comfortable and like I can truly be myself,” said Anthony Reyes, the Vice President of LSU.
However, LSU hasn’t just focused on the Latinx community; it wishes to expand its reach to help people find a supportive community.
“We’re open to any student regardless of their descent. It’s a great program, it’s just a way we can connect. It’s very nice if you’re trying to find a community,” said Emily Torres-Garduza, LSU Public Relations Director.
LSU meets every Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Vivian V. Conley and Hurley C. Goodall Jr. Multicultural Center.
Contact Dylan Chesnut with comments at dylan.chesnut@bsu.edu.
