Black Girls 2 creates safe environment for Black feminist conversations on campus
Reader discretion advised: This article consists of language discussing sexual harassment, assault, and violence.
Black Girls 2’s General Body Meeting (@bg2_umd /Instagram)
Black Girls 2 (BG2), a student organization that discusses the issues Black women face on campus and nationwide, launched and hosted their first general body meeting on March 7.
Leandra Williams, a junior public policy and sociology student at the University of Maryland, founded BG2 as a way to talk about Black feminism, uplift Black female voices, and raise awareness of sexual assault on UMD’s campus.
“I came up with the idea inspired by the Prevent Sexual Assault organization on campus. I love the organization. They cultivate a space for feminism on campus” said Williams. “But I felt that it didn’t cater to a focus on Black women.”
According to the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, Black women are disproportionately at risk of sexual assault. Nearly 1 in 5 Black women are survivors of rape, and 41% of Black women experience some form of unwanted sexual misconduct.
Black Girls 2’s name inspiration comes from the #MeToo Movement. The movement provided the first big break in a culture of people coming forward to bring awareness of sexual assault.
The movement was created by a Black woman, Tarana Burke—however, the media from the movement centered on white stories. Black women out of all women-identifying populations are disproportionately at risk for sexual violence, creating challenges in addressing intersectional experiences.
The lack of representation in the #MeToo Movement is the same issue and recurring theme Leandra found attending a PWI.
Black students at PWIs face challenges related to racial identity and belonging. “I wanted to fill that space on this predominantly white campus creating a safe place for the voices that aren’t heard,” Williams said.
BG2 was founded to create a safe and inclusive environment for Black students on campus. The new organization will discuss the challenges of navigating social isolation at a PWI, and stereotypes in an academic and social environment, highlighting the need for inclusivity and empathy through the generational trauma that the Black community passed on.
Black Girls 2 plans to meet for general body meetings bi-weekly. Additionally, they will have partnerships with other organizations who are advocating for the same message.
Devin Harris, Tishanique Johnson, Leandra Williams, Kerra Dukes; Black Girls 2 Executive Board (@bg2_umd /Instagram)
At the start of the general body meeting, BG2 set ground rules to respect all members and to create a safe and welcoming environment. They emphasized that members be respectful when discussing sensitive topics, as well as being active listeners, knowing their limits, and being safe to themselves and others.
All members can share what they are comfortable with. BG2 wants its members to know this is a safe space where all members' experiences are validated.
A trigger warning was also mentioned at the beginning of the meeting due to the sensitivity of the topics. The statement read: “This is a safe space, and we want everyone to feel safe and understood. We will be discussing topics that may be heavier for individuals to spread awareness. However, we care about your safety and mental health above all. If at any time you need support based on topics that come up during our meetings please contact: CARE to Stop Violence in The Health Center OR call the CARE crisis line: (301) 741-3442.”
Tishanique Johnson, a junior biology major and the mental health chair of BG2 emphasized that the organization will be coordinating with confidential and non-confidential resources on and off campus. When there are more planned meetings, mental health professionals will be present on site.
“Seeing everyone in the meeting smile and knowing that I created a space where people don’t feel alone means the world to me,” said Williams.
Members also expressed BG2’s turnaround after the first general body meeting.
“Being a Black girl this message is important to me. I grew up with a single mother. I am one of eight children. I have two other sisters and five brothers. Growing up, girlhood and womanhood has always been an experience for me. I find solitude in sisterhood. Of course, I would want to be in a club that promotes Black women, especially when it concerns our safety and conversation around our culture.” said Kerry Dukes, a junior public policy major and vice president of BG2.
Leieh Williams, a freshman criminology and criminal justice major, as well as Leandra’s sister, decided to join the club because “for me, it is so important to showcase Black women and their stories. I think that is such an important thing, especially at a PWI campus.”
During the meeting, Leieh got to hear so many unique perspectives from the Black women around her.
“With the amount of general trauma that Black people go through, there should be efforts to make this kind of change where we don't have to feel silent. I feel it is so important to be a part of this space. I think that this organization can be the change that we need to see not just for women, but for the Black community as a whole.”