This month our Student of the Month is Enshalla Dunlop. Enshalla is a senior at AIS and she is the President of the Black Student Union. I had a sit-down interview with her to discuss what she does in the AIS community and her thoughts on diversity and inclusion.
Q: The Wick’s theme this month is centered around diversity and inclusion. What are you doing in the AIS community and your own community to spread awareness about why diversity and inclusion are so important?
A: We recently had our Black Student Union assembly where I had my dad speak about critical race theory. At the end of his presentation, he stressed the importance of researching important topics for yourself. There is so much pressure placed on Black students to teach the other members of the AIS community about diversity and inclusion’s importance. It’s draining to try and teach your peers why it’s important and necessary for you to be there. Right now, I believe spreading awareness about the importance of diversity and inclusion needs to come from the administrators, not the students.
Q: How do you feel to be the Student of the Month for February?
A: I’m happy to be Student of the Month for February because it’s Black History Month and it’s great that a Black member of our community can be highlighted this month.
Q: Tell me about your role in the AIS community as President of BSU.
A: I have an interesting role this year because I am supposed to be both a supporter for other Black students, while also trying to educate the AIS community about issues pertaining to the Black community. With the summer we had last year, I also believe that the AIS community is looking for the Black Student Union to be a voice for change. My most important role is making our Black students comfortable and happy; everything else is secondary.
Q: Why do you think different inclusive organizations like BSU are important at AIS?
A: I think different affinity groups are important because it gives people within marginalized communities such as BIPOC and members of the LGBTQ+ community a chance to be free from the majority culture. So many times I have felt like I needed to to hide parts of my identity to fit in, and I feel like BSU is the only place in school where I can truly be myself.
Q: After the tumultuous summer we’ve had pertaining to race, do you think AIS is taking the proper steps towards being more socially aware and creating a safer space? If so, how?
A: I struggle with knowing the exact steps to change an entire community and make people more socially aware. I believe the school wants to change, but changing the hearts and minds of people who quite honestly don’t care is extremely hard. We can hold conferences, panels, and have speakers on racial injustice but the people who really need to hear their messages aren’t going to those events.
Q: As a minority student at AIS do you feel that your voice is heard and that you are being valued?
A: Now, more than ever, I believe the administration is listening to us. The problem is that non-people of color or people of color who aren’t in leadership positions aren’t taking charge because they don’t feel like they have a place to. If you want to make a real difference in the school or lead events, don’t just join affinity groups—join UNITY too.
Q: What do diversity and inclusion mean to you?
A: Diversity and inclusion at AIS means that we not only have a diverse community, but we make sure our community members feel welcome.
Q: What is one final thing you would like to say about the Wick giving you this honor and you being able to have this platform to speak on important issues?
A: Thank you for giving me this opportunity, and I’m excited to see the changes our community will make!
