J’Mari Hughes—Reporter
A popular metropolis activity was introduced to the campus community with an artistic flair. Black Student Union hosted “Trap & Paint” in honor of “Blackout Week”, on April 3.
Trap music, which Forte described as “aggressive hop hop” has a loud and energetic hype. However, according to Moesha Turner, a senior interdisciplinary studies major, and BSU’s event coordinator, trap can also be motivational.
“It’s just an event where everybody’s around music that they’re used to,” said senior psychology major Amaris Forte. “Being able to be creative in your own way and to be able to create what kind of paintings you like— it’s just like a calm situation.”
“We’ve seen a lot of parties online where they have trap and paint and you see everybody so hyped up,” Turner, said. “It’s kind of fun instead of sip and paint.”
Junior communications major Iesha Brown brought Trap & Paint to Southern after learning about it from big cities, such as New Orleans and New York. Because trap music is a part of black culture and because she does not feel like the black community is exposed to painting, especially in public schools, she wanted students to get a chance to be exposed to it.
“We have a big black community [at Southern] so I thought it’d be nice to bring [trap and paint] here,” said Brown, who works in BSU’s public relations. “Just seeing all the people come to your events is a confidence booster and just to see your ideas come to life is good.”
Freshman healthcare studies major Donovan Cordero said he attended not only for his Inquiry Learning Community class, but also because it interested him when he discovered the event on OwlConnect. With painting, he said students can express themselves however they want to.
“It’s just something to do that’s relaxing and chill,” he said. “The environment is nice, people are talking to each other and being friendly and just hanging out.”
Rhema Phillips, a freshman and communication major, said she was in Farnham Hall studying when BSU brought out the paint, and decided she wanted to participate. She said painting is relaxing and comforting to her.
“There’s a lot of stresses in life and I feel like painting is one way to release your feelings,” she said.
Phillips said she thinks more students should attend these events because they are a fun way to meet new people and experience new things.
“It’s something that everyone can do no matter what your background is,” said Phillips. “I’m not a painter, but I still love to come to the events anyway because it gives me a chance to express myself and express my feelings and just have a good time.”
Brown said she wants students to learn about BSU, which meets Mondays at 1 p.m. in Engleman B121. Brown wants black students to meet other black faces in a predominantly white school. She said as a black student, one may feel alone, so she wants people to be aware there is an entire community of black students on campus.
Forte said BSU discusses topics such as colorism and mental health: things students may not be aware of because they have not learned about them in classes. She said, while discussing serious topics, the group mixes in fun activities so students will be engaged.
“[BSU] is popping and it’s not just black people, we wanna reach out to its all cultures,” Forte said. “We don’t discriminate, arms are open, we love everybody.”
