If you're craving dialogue about contemporary issues, Food for Thought -- a program sponsored by the Office of African-American Affairs -- is a new lunchtime option.
The bi-weekly discussion series at the Luther P. Jackson Cultural Center, which will run through the remainder of the year, is held on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m.
"We usually don't have programs in the middle of the day," said LaTasha Levy, the interim director of the Luther P. Jackson Cultural Center. "It's unique in that sense, that it gives students something to do in between classes."
The series, which expects about 20 students per session, also is unique in that students decide on the discussion topics.
A week prior to the meeting, students can submit their ideas, which should concentrate on political issues, social concerns or current events.
Today's discussion -- the third meeting this year -- focuses on the taboo of interracial relationships, Levy said.
The previous two discussions addressed the effects of rap music on community environments and the controversy surrounding R. Kelly's statutory rape charge.
"I think that most of the topics we talk about affect all Americans," Levy said. "Rap music is not specific to African-American students
Statutory rape and interracial relationships are not specific to African-American students."
Other topic ideas that have been submitted include the terrorist attacks and war effort.
Levy herself approves of the topic ideas submitted by students and helps facilitate the discussions.
There are no guest lecturers or specific authority voices on discussion topics, which Levy hopes will help promote an open exchange of ideas and opinions from all sides.
"In that short period of time, we won't be able to solve the problems of the world," Levy said. "But it's important that we are always talking and sharing our ideas with each other."
Any type of dialogue on this kind of subject is a step in the right direction, no matter how small the first move, she added.
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