Soup & Substance inspires group discussion on presidential inauguration
More than 30 Central Michigan University students and community members attended the Soup & Substance: Open Forum Session: Pre-Presidential Inauguration at noon Friday in the Terrace rooms of the Bovee University Center.
Soup & Substance is a program sponsored by the Office of Institutional Diversity. The luncheons consist of showcasing research on diversity and traditionally under-represented groups. CMU faculty, students and community members gather in an informal setting for a presentation, discussion and free soup.
This particular Soup & Substance wasn't a presentation, but an open forum on the feelings surrounding the upcoming presidential inauguration.
“We should be continuing our conversations. There should be an ever-present discussion on campus— that’s one of the main reasons we’re here today,” said Sapphire Cureg, director of the Office of Diversity Education. “We want you to share your passions about certain topics that are confronting us as we face new leadership.”
The discussion was guided by members of the Office of Institutional Diversity. Each table discussed questions asked as a small group before answers were volunteered to the room. The first topic of debate was how the United States will be impacted by the change in leadership — whether it be financially, through a change in how health care is provided or how academic opportunities will change.
“I don’t even know what to think most days,” said Jessica Axe, a graduate student from Gobles. “As far as healthcare goes, I know I will not be able to afford birth control at all. Not a chance.”
The second topic of discussion was how to get involved and what resources should be created and utilized. Several students said standing up for each other was the most important thing they could do.
“Social justice embraces common ground. If we as a society see that one group is discriminated against – is treated differently than others – it’s our job to make sure that those folks are treated fairly,” Dunn said. “When it affects one isolated group, it really affects all of us.”
Axe called attention to campus organizations students can get involved in. Of these were Central Michigan Action, the Isabella County Human Rights Committee and Students Against Slavery.
“We’re looking at ways that we can respond educationally by having other forums and by having opportunities to help educate folks as to what’s going on and issues of discrimination,” Dunn said.
The closing remarks focused on individual action and encouraged students and community members to get involved and speak out.
“We appreciate your efforts and you just being here,” Cureg said.
