# @rutgersu on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CaaAGZGLRwk
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/180432-rutgersu-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/8a8ccff8fc.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-02-25T16:02:51.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rutgers University (@RutgersU) — https://gondola.cc/RutgersU

## Caption

For #BlackHistoryMonth, we spent time asking members of the Rutgers community how they plan to make history. Meet ImaniNia Burton, graduating senior and President of the United Black Council.

"I used to think making history meant being rich and famous and having accolades and awards. When I was younger, this meant I wanted to be the sought-after lawyer and the talented entertainer. All of this was in hopes that I would be successful, and people would see me.
 
I know many people desire to be seen, to be validated as a human being, a lovable person, and somebody worth something. However, while success and fortune will award you visibility, that does not mean you are seen. See teachings on intersectionality and cultural appropriation.
 
The Black feminist scholars of yesterday and today have highlighted the importance of community, compassion, and thorough education as SEEING, liberatory practices. My task then is to encourage real community, embrace real love, and facilitate the intellectual growth and understanding of oppressed people and their lived experiences.
 
This means mobilizing and investing in communities so they may have community gardens, community book clubs, community resources, and community access. 
 
This means embracing love as the late scholar bell hooks taught in ‘All About Love: New Visions.’ Love is ‘The will to nurture our own and another’s spiritual growth.’ We must be unafraid and unashamed to love our neighbors, our friends, and even strangers.
 
bell hooks once said, ‘there’s a price that comes with decentering, decolonizing, and part of what has to happen for us to be free is that we have to create our own standards of how to live.’ My standard of living requires that I live in a community, that I live in love, and that I understand my oppression. Fame and fortune are fun, but freedom is forever. To truly see and be seen is radical. To truly see and be seen is to make history.
 
Just imagine how amazing it will feel to be seen."

#RUMakingHistory

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 806
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- **Comments:** 45

## Credits

These are the roles credited on Gondola. Credits may be incomplete.
A brand, account owner, or featured person is not necessarily the creator.

| Name | Username | Profile | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Rutgers University | @RutgersU | https://gondola.cc/RutgersU | University |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photographer |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Social Media Manager |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Copywriter |
| Marques Ruiz | @digitallysober | https://gondola.cc/digitallysober | Photo Editor |

## Tags

rumakinghistory, blackhistorymonth

## Events

black history month | rutgers u 2022

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