My school, Elon University, will host a panel discussion tonight called “Lessons Within Ferguson.” Co-sponsored by the Multicultural Center and the university's Council on Civic Engagement, this event will include professors from a range of departments and a student, Mia Watkins, who is from Ferguson.
Let me first express the pride I have in my school right now. These conversations are important to have on any campus. It is highly commendable that Elon has taken such immediate action by sparking an impactful conversation on the recent events and the underlying opportunities for social change. I am only disappointed that I will not be able to attend tonight’s event (as I am still at home preparing for my semester abroad).
My hope is that this panel discusses the issue from all angles and addresses all of the problems that reared their ugly heads in Mike Brown’s death – race, police brutality, and the severely flawed justice system.
My hope is that these panelists are honest and raw in their discussions of those topics, even if it makes certain members of the audience or the panel cringe – actually, ESPECIALLY if it makes someone uncomfortable. Comfort and complacency will never bring about change.
My biggest hope, though, is that the student body in the audience represents the demographic makeup of students on campus. Why? Because these sorts of conversations cannot be segregated anymore.
Elon University is not exactly what I would call racially diverse. But I doubt it will be hard to find students of color at this panel discussion. So I hope that Elon’s majority white student body comes out tonight, too. I hope students from every state, every socioeconomic status, every religion, and every major will come out tonight.
Because while race played a role in the shooting, it should not deter or excuse any student from attending tonight’s event, or from joining this conversation.
“Lessons Within Ferguson, Missouri”
Time: Wednesday, August 27, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Location: McKinnon Hall
Be there.
Whether you’re part of the Elon family or not, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue. What would you want a panel like this to address? Comment below, tweet me @changefora20 or email me at [email protected].
Be the change we need to see – join the conversation.
Let me first express the pride I have in my school right now. These conversations are important to have on any campus. It is highly commendable that Elon has taken such immediate action by sparking an impactful conversation on the recent events and the underlying opportunities for social change. I am only disappointed that I will not be able to attend tonight’s event (as I am still at home preparing for my semester abroad).
My hope is that this panel discusses the issue from all angles and addresses all of the problems that reared their ugly heads in Mike Brown’s death – race, police brutality, and the severely flawed justice system.
My hope is that these panelists are honest and raw in their discussions of those topics, even if it makes certain members of the audience or the panel cringe – actually, ESPECIALLY if it makes someone uncomfortable. Comfort and complacency will never bring about change.
My biggest hope, though, is that the student body in the audience represents the demographic makeup of students on campus. Why? Because these sorts of conversations cannot be segregated anymore.
Elon University is not exactly what I would call racially diverse. But I doubt it will be hard to find students of color at this panel discussion. So I hope that Elon’s majority white student body comes out tonight, too. I hope students from every state, every socioeconomic status, every religion, and every major will come out tonight.
Because while race played a role in the shooting, it should not deter or excuse any student from attending tonight’s event, or from joining this conversation.
“Lessons Within Ferguson, Missouri”
Time: Wednesday, August 27, 7:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Location: McKinnon Hall
Be there.
Whether you’re part of the Elon family or not, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this issue. What would you want a panel like this to address? Comment below, tweet me @changefora20 or email me at [email protected].
Be the change we need to see – join the conversation.