#BBJHU: Black Hopkins speaks out

Shortly before the Thanksgiving break, the Hopkins Black Student Union tweeted the hashtag #BBJHU encouraging followers to include it in their tweets about what it was like to be black at Hopkins. And thus began a flood of tweets about the awkward, inspirational, hilarious and straight-up depressing tweets from Black Hopkins, a group of black students and alumni who are known for speaking out about the positives and negatives (mostly negatives) of the black Hopkins student’s experience.

Here are some of the most telling tweets from #BBJHU. Brace yourselves; it’s about to get racial:

1. “Having to watch my words in class as the only black person b/c I’m automatically the spokesperson for the entire race #BBJHU” —@xbrookelogann

Being the only black student in certain classes comes with way too much responsibility: proving that black people are capable of eloquence, explaining white privilege, defining words like “ashy” — the list goes on. For those students who don’t have that essential black friend, you suddenly become their mental representation of blackness — and you best not let your people down.

2. “Being asked if you know how [to] TWERK! #BBJHU #ifonemorepersonasksimmakillem” —@_shirleyyyyyy

The answer? Yes. Will I teach you? No. One Miley is enough for this world.

3. “When the DJ shouts out every school except Hopkins. . .at a party in the Glass Pav. . .#BBJHU” —@_KChelsi (well, that Twitter handle looks familiar)

One can only go to so many frat parties that blast hip-hop hits from three years ago, so the BSU occasionally hosts parties in the Glass Pav, inviting local DJs and partner organizations from nearby universities. Unfortunately, even other black people assume that there are no students of color at Hopkins, so our presence isn’t even recognized at our own parties. Disrespectful.

4. “#BBJHU Minor: Code Switching” —@_TellyMonster

For those of us who have no problems listening to Chief Keef while studying Orgo, it can be a bit hard to “code switch” or turn off the usage of slang around people who would require way too much time and a diagram or two to understand it. Thanks to cultural appropriation, though, at least we can say “ratchet” without being judged.

5. “I went to a Greek Meet & Greet, I didn’t see any of the Divine Nine included #BBJHU” —@JHUBSU

Quick: name the organizations of the Divine Nine. Oh, you don’t know what the Divine Nine is? I’m not surprised. It’s a term that refers to the first nine black Greek letter organizations, four of which are present on campus. With Hopkins only officially recognizing two of these organizations, however, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who even knows that such fraternities and sororities exist. So, yes, those black people walking around campus wearing certain colors, throwing up hand signs and making those weird calls are Greeks. Hopefully.

6. “That mural in Nolan’s though. #BBJHU” —@_KChelsi

Do a Google Image search of “minstrel show” and then look at the jazz players in the mural behind the stage in Nolan’s. See any similarities? The emotionless, identical men with dark skin and huge red lips are all too reminiscent of imagery that was used to degrade black people decades ago. Even more, their positioning in the mural — playing music for the students — shows that life truly imitates art: Sometimes it seems as if there are more black people at Hopkins working as “the help” than there are black students.

7. “‘Does your hair just grow like that? Can I touch it?’ #BBJHU” —@TERRiesandCream

Okay, I get it. Black hair is interesting. I’ve had it for 20 years, and it still surprises me sometimes. But at the end of the day, it’s just hair. Please appreciate from afar.

8. “Black Hopkins got [me] through my toughest times and helped me go from ac pro to deans list #BBJHU” —@jayellebeee

For black students who have a rough time adjusting to the culture shock of Hopkins’ demographics, being surrounded by supportive and relatable people provides an indescribable relief. Until Hopkins does a better job of recognizing and catering to the needs of its minority students, Black Hopkins may be the one thing that keeps some students sane.