2008 Woodie Awards
Panel discusses black women, education
By: David Veselenak
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: News
Yemi Olumolade thinks black women have a negative image when being portrayed in the media because of promiscuity.
"It hasn't really been too positive," the Canada sophomore said. "Black women are oversexed in the media."
Olumolade was one of six women participating in a panel discussion Tuesday in the Bovee University Center's Lake Superior Room talking about black women and the role they play in society.
The discussion, put on by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., followed a discussion regarding men Monday night.
Detroit sophomore Carly Wilson said black women already have a disadvantage when going out into the workplace. Stereotypes regarding the black female keep them from succeeding, she said.
"Some of us aren't loud," she said. "I feel like we've already been molded into a stereotype."
The panel discussions were a way to enrich people about the black culture and to make black men and women more prevalent in an area where they are not, said Leython D. Williams, a Detroit senior and Alpha Phi Alpha member.
The women on the panel also discussed issues such as role models.
Williams notices there are not many people available to mentor minority students.
"A lot of times, (black students) don't have a role model," Williams said.
The panelists also discussed the people they found to play a large factor in their lives, ranging from poet Maya Angelou to close family members.
Saginaw freshman Rose Wilson told the audience her greatest role model is her grandmother.
"She is definitely a strong women," she said. "Sometimes I don't always agree with everything she says, but I see her as a role model."
Much like the men's panel, education became a big issue to discuss amongst the panelists. While some of the panel felt structured education, such as college, isn't necessary, others felt the experience of attending college could teach students more than that of home life.
Cicely Grant, a Detroit senior, said college made her find a way to prioritize what was important to her.
"I didn't know how to put work first and deal with (other issues) later," she said.
Alpha Phi Alpha hosts a discussion entitled "Should we rebuild the black man?" at 7 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library's Strostacker Room.
news@cm-life.com
"It hasn't really been too positive," the Canada sophomore said. "Black women are oversexed in the media."
Olumolade was one of six women participating in a panel discussion Tuesday in the Bovee University Center's Lake Superior Room talking about black women and the role they play in society.
The discussion, put on by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., followed a discussion regarding men Monday night.
Detroit sophomore Carly Wilson said black women already have a disadvantage when going out into the workplace. Stereotypes regarding the black female keep them from succeeding, she said.
"Some of us aren't loud," she said. "I feel like we've already been molded into a stereotype."
The panel discussions were a way to enrich people about the black culture and to make black men and women more prevalent in an area where they are not, said Leython D. Williams, a Detroit senior and Alpha Phi Alpha member.
The women on the panel also discussed issues such as role models.
Williams notices there are not many people available to mentor minority students.
"A lot of times, (black students) don't have a role model," Williams said.
The panelists also discussed the people they found to play a large factor in their lives, ranging from poet Maya Angelou to close family members.
Saginaw freshman Rose Wilson told the audience her greatest role model is her grandmother.
"She is definitely a strong women," she said. "Sometimes I don't always agree with everything she says, but I see her as a role model."
Much like the men's panel, education became a big issue to discuss amongst the panelists. While some of the panel felt structured education, such as college, isn't necessary, others felt the experience of attending college could teach students more than that of home life.
Cicely Grant, a Detroit senior, said college made her find a way to prioritize what was important to her.
"I didn't know how to put work first and deal with (other issues) later," she said.
Alpha Phi Alpha hosts a discussion entitled "Should we rebuild the black man?" at 7 p.m. today in the Charles V. Park Library's Strostacker Room.
news@cm-life.com
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