By Mars Marte
The Brooklyn College (BC) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance (LGBTA) hosted a cozy tea party in collaboration with the J-Fashion club in the Student Center, Maroon Room on Nov. 11. Students who attended the event were greeted with sweet treats, hot tea, and a reprieve from the mundane.
Jasmine Karasu, The Vice president of the J-fashion club, urges students at our commuter school, “[…] To put themselves out there and to step out of the comfort of corporate life.”
Attending an urban inner-city school adds its own pressures to a student’s day-to-day, whether it be leaving hours earlier than your class starts or getting home later than expected due to MTA delays.
Commuting can be complex for students; thankfully, BC goers offer club events that help them connect with their campus community. Em Katz (she/they/he), the president of the J-fashion club, founded the club to create a safe space.
“[Our club] fosters acceptance for people, no matter how you dress or what you like […] just be nice to people.”
The goal Katz set out for was on full display as guests at the party wandered in and found a room buzzing with energy.
Casual conversations fueled by compliments echoed throughout the room. Strangers connected and shared their favorite fashion brands and tips..
The tea party was much more than an opportunity for students to connect; it was also an opportunity to learn, explore, and educate themselves about alternative styles. In doing so, the alliance nurtures a kind relationship between the two student-run clubs on campus.
“[The J-fashion club and the LGBTA club] open big safe spaces not just for the gays but anyone who’s feeling a little left out and lonely,” shared the Vice President of the LGBTA, Matthew Vasquez. “We all need a space to connect.”
Connection is the first building block of a community. Offering students a safe space to discover and form bonds makes college more than a place where students get their degrees.
Club events empower scholars to get a well-rounded experience that isn’t solely rooted in studies, which in turn can reduce burnout in students by breaking the routine.
“Community is the biggest thing needed right now,” an observation made by Vasquez.
As the division among the American people continues to grow, isolation begins to replace attachment. Studies conducted by researchers at the American Psychological Association show that “adults who reported societal division as a significant source of stress in their lives were not only more likely to feel emotionally strained, but also more likely to experience loneliness.”
The APA conducted this study via self-reports, a research method that directly asks an individual about their experiences and behaviors. In their report, researchers at the APA found that individuals nationwide are feeling the strain of a society separated. In times when there seems to be a never-ending disconnect with those around us, going about the day-to-day can feel draining.
In a city that moves fast and often leaves us feeling left behind, gatherings like this tea party become more than events for BC students; they are reminders of what a community can feel like.
At the end of the day, community isn’t something we wait for; it’s something we choose to build, one moment at a time.
For more information about the J-Fashion club and the LGBTA club, please visit their respective Instagrams: @bcjfashionclub and @brooklyn.lgbta.