Tell them


The Rev. Jesse Jackson spoke to a capacity crowd Tuesday in Rose Arena as the keynote speaker for Martin Luther King Jr. week.

The civil rights leader delivered an emphatic message to the CMU community.

Jackson made it clear that much work still remained in the quest for equality.

His speech only added to the growing view that CMU is not doing enough to increase diversity.

In the wake of Jackson's presentation, it seems our community needs a sort of awakening.

And who better to kick start that than a civil rights icon?

The seven organizations who banded together to pay the $20,000 price tag for Jackson's speech should be commended.

Those organizations are the Affirmative Action Office, Student Government Association, University Recreation, On The Fly Productions, Institutional Diversity, Volunteer Center and Minority Student Services.

Students who attended Tuesday's keynote had the opportunity to shake hands with a man who was the assistant to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

That is not something on which a price tag can be placed.

Raise your voice

The Office of the Dean of Students is sponsoring another student-oriented forum from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.

This forum will allow students to ask questions of Michael Powell, interim associate vice president of diversity and affirmative action officer, and Bruce Roscoe, dean of students.

Although it's hard to find fault in the willingness of our administration to meet again with students, it seems so much already has been said.

Concerned students, and Central Michigan Life's editorial board, have been very vocal this year in pointing out specific breakdowns in this university's diversity work.

We don't need an administration that still is looking for input.

This community is crying out for strong, decisive leadership.

Concerned students should take advantage of Monday's opportunity to question administrators. Don't let the apparent complete inaction of our administration deter you from making yourself heard.

Tell them you're fed up. Tell them you want answers. Tell them to deliver.

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