Pilipino American Student Society
The Pilipino American Student Society, better known as PASS, is a club dedicated to celebrating Filipino culture.
Interdisciplinary studies senior and president Ron Ilagan said culture is imperative not just to PASS, but in his own personal life as well.
“(Culture) is something I really try to promote. Before I became president it still was important. I think just being at home and my parents are both from the Philippines, so how I interact with them differs from non-Filipinos, especially living in (a) predominantly white suburb,” he said.
Ilagan said before attending college, he felt like he lived two lives: one part being his Filipino side and the other being his more Americanized side. At college, though, he said he met more Filipinos and Asians in general, and his two identities began to mesh and complement each other.
He said PASS also played a significant role in this.
Intersections of Identities
Intersections of Identities is a relatively new club at MSU. The organization aims to be a safe haven for all students who wish to have their voices heard without having to focus on only one aspect of their identity.
Doctoral student Wonderful Faison explained there are several groups on campus that focus on one identity, such as being African-American or homosexual.
“But what if you’re black and homosexual and disabled and you’re a woman ... and you don’t want to place more importance on one thing?” she said.
Intersections of Identities allows students to express all aspects of their identity through various mediums, including writing.
Faison said the organization is still fairly young, but aims to give students experience in writing, no matter the form. Students can feel free to write technically or write a poem. The group is currently in the process of applying for grants in order to fund this.
“(This is) for any student who just wants to (rise) against the machine,” she said. “It’s really for anybody, and so that’s the kind of message we want to put out there. We accept anybody.”
Asian Pacific American Student Organization
The Asian Pacific American Student Organization began in 1982 in an attempt to raise awareness of Asian-Pacific Americans at MSU.
Thirty-three years later, the group is still going strong.
APASO continues to celebrate and educate on Asian-Pacific American culture by inviting cultural performances and holding conferences, among other things.
Recently, the group offered a screening of the new ABC show “Fresh Off the Boat,” which centers around an Asian-American family adjusting to life in Orlando, Florida. After the screening, APASO had a group discussion about the show, led by counseling psychologist John Lee of MSU Counseling Center and a few club alumni.
The Black Student Alliance is dedicated to the advancement of black students and creating safe spaces for black students to express themselves and have their voices heard. The BSA also hosts leadership and professional development workshops for its members.
The BSA has been active in organizing marches against police brutality and other social issues.
Most recently, the BSA was part of a large campus movement to protest the treatment of people of color victimized by racial violence by taking part in BlackLivesMatter "die-ins."
"For the BSA, and me, our commitment to social justice issues and serving the community is a year-round thing," BSA Vice President Patrice Wright said in a previous interview with The State News.
