A panel of six students “Put It All On The Table” Tuesday evening. A forum discussion moderated by Leonard Moore, history professor, touched on subjects such as black student activism, University administration, materialism and the racial makeup of the student body. The panelists included Samori Camara, history graduate student, Shanelle Matthews, mass communication junior and Daily Reveille columnist, Ricardo Malbrew, history graduate student, Tim Mulaula, music senior, Nicholas Mitchell, history graduate student and Ada Goodly, international studies senior and Black Student Union president. The event was sponsored by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Omega Psi Phi fraternity and the Student African-American Brotherhood, a new student organization focusing on the unification of black males to become more involved on campus. Derrick Petit, NAACP political action chairperson, read a disclaimer before the discussion began and said the views expressed at the forum were those of the panelists and not endorsed by the event’s sponsors. Camara said he wanted the discussion to raise consciousness among students about activism and other issues black students face on campus. More than 100 students attended the forum. Camara commented on the racial makeup of the crowd. “I never expect a large turnout by white Americans,” he said. Each panelist highlighted issues they think black students should care about. Matthews said many students are not willing to stand up in the face of opposition because they fear their actions may affect their academic careers. She said the priorities of black students are “out of order.” “We have no support structure at this University,” Matthews said. Camara, a part-time teacher in Washington D.C., said more emphasis should be placed on education. Goodly said her main concern is the rebuilding of New Orleans. Moore discussed the relationship between black men and women and said it is “unhealthy.” Matthews commented on the male-female relationship issue. “We, as a whole, don’t do a good job of complimenting each other,” she said. Goodly discussed what she sees as a misaligning of priorities. She said she would rather receive compliments on her accomplishments than her physical appearance. “Compliment something that I do,” she said. “Compliment me on something I stand for.” Moore prompted the panelists to discuss the relationship between Africans and African-Americans and the division among the different groups within the black student body. He said students are separated into several groups including athletes, greeks and others. The forum concluded with questions and comments from the crowd.
—–Contact Angelle Barbazon at [email protected]