2008 Woodie Awards
Diversity, campus unity topic of forum
Students speak at NAACP's "We Got to do Better"
By: Angie Favot
Issue date: 10/17/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Ashley Smith said hosting the "We Got to do Better" forum Tuesday night is important for the university.
"We discussed issues other people would not be aware of, especially for students that sometimes feel they don't have an outlet to discuss them," the Pontiac senior and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President said.
Campus unity, the use of Ebonics, diversified faculty and prejudice within the races were topics during the NAACP forum in the Charles V. Park Library Strosacker room.
Detroit senior James Garner said too many diverse groups exist on campus.
"If we had less groups we could get more done," he said.
The forum also touched on whether minorities feel obligated to talk to other minorities on campus.
"We are a subculture on this campus, as much as we hate to admit it, we are," Smith said.
Students also addressed the issue of lighter and darker skin within racial groups.
Detroit senior David Peeples argued an arrogance exists that makes people not want to talk to one another.
Taryn Markoe, Detroit senior, said Ebonics is used on a scale of "how black you are."
"Why does being black determine how ignorant you are and not how intelligent you are," she said.
Peeples said he speaks Ebonics.
"I switch up every day. It's kind of like speaking another language to me," he said. "I used Ebonics when I was with my friends as a way to fit in with my friends."
During the forum, participants went around the room and said how many professors of color they had. The average was two.
Auburn Hills junior Tamika Watson said she's only had one nonwhite professor, which was sad considering her class standing.
news@cm-life.com
"We discussed issues other people would not be aware of, especially for students that sometimes feel they don't have an outlet to discuss them," the Pontiac senior and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People President said.
Campus unity, the use of Ebonics, diversified faculty and prejudice within the races were topics during the NAACP forum in the Charles V. Park Library Strosacker room.
Detroit senior James Garner said too many diverse groups exist on campus.
"If we had less groups we could get more done," he said.
The forum also touched on whether minorities feel obligated to talk to other minorities on campus.
"We are a subculture on this campus, as much as we hate to admit it, we are," Smith said.
Students also addressed the issue of lighter and darker skin within racial groups.
Detroit senior David Peeples argued an arrogance exists that makes people not want to talk to one another.
Taryn Markoe, Detroit senior, said Ebonics is used on a scale of "how black you are."
"Why does being black determine how ignorant you are and not how intelligent you are," she said.
Peeples said he speaks Ebonics.
"I switch up every day. It's kind of like speaking another language to me," he said. "I used Ebonics when I was with my friends as a way to fit in with my friends."
During the forum, participants went around the room and said how many professors of color they had. The average was two.
Auburn Hills junior Tamika Watson said she's only had one nonwhite professor, which was sad considering her class standing.
news@cm-life.com
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