African American Student Union starts at PFHS
Junior Josie Owusu starts African American Student union to empower students
The African American Student Union or AASU is a club that was recently started at Potomac Falls by junior Josie Owusu and is sponsored by learning specialist Brandon Jackson. The African American Student Union began as a way for African American students to express themselves in a space free of judgment.
“I started the club because I wanted to educate students at PFHS and help them get in touch with their roots,” said Owusu.
AASU is one of several new clubs this year – many of which focus on culture including the Filipino club and the women’s club. “I think [cultural clubs] are starting because people are learning to embrace their true culture. People are learning to love their differences,” said Owusu.
The African American Student Union participated in the annual Fair at the Falls by displaying a poster and having Owusu and other members inform all the students and visitors about her club and her plans to impact the community. “We need it here because our school needs to recognize diversity, and I feel that this is the best way to accomplish that,” said Owusu.
The club held its first meeting on Thursday October 19 at 8:20 am. During the meeting, the club discussed a variety of controversial issues that have been affecting the African American community and our world in general.
“In our first meeting, we discussed what AASU was going to be about, and we watched a video of a BSU club at a college,” said junior Nikkita Tyler. “It made me excited for the future meetings we were going to have because in the videos, they discussed how close their club was and how they made more friends [through their club].”
The African American Student Union meets bi-weekly and has plans for community outreach projects, presentations from guest speakers and a February visit to the new National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington D.C.
“I want people to learn the truth about the African American culture because it is so unique. There is so many beautiful aspects to the culture,” said Owusu.
