At the sixth annual interracial dialogue forum "Reflections on Complexions" yesterday afternoon in Newcomb Theater, a group of roughly 20 students discussed issues of race and ethnicity as they are addressed at the University and throughout the world.
The event was sponsored by Sustained Dialogue, Brothers United Celebrating Knowledge and Success and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
To begin the forum, a video introduced the question of what it means to be "American."
Third-year College students Aisha Johnson and Jaron Carter led the discussion.
Johnson said she believes race relations at the University have been different from her prior experiences in diverse environments.
"A friend of mine said, 'Aisha, you can be the black girl'-- as if I have to fill a quota for her friends," Johnson said. "Those experiences stick out in your mind."
Many students said they hope the University is not representative of how the real world addresses issues of race.
Media representation of race also was a topic of discussion that led to questions of social power.
Fourth-year College student Ganhrav Telhan said wealth is an important determinant of social power and is often connected to race.
"If people continue fighting about race, they won't be able to see who really has the foot on their neck -- the wealthy people," Telhan said. "The poor majority are being oppressed by the white minority."
Many described ignorance as a cause of racial tension.
John Bylander, a 2003 University graduate, said his attitude toward ignorance has changed over the years.
"When I was younger, I would sit people down [to address differences of opinion], but now I just don't have the energy for it," he said.
Bylander said the value of debate should not be underestimated.
"Not everybody who is ignorant doesn't read or doesn't think," he said. "We shouldn't turn ourselves off to debate."
Telhan agreed that ignorance can sometimes be a choice.
"I'd like to know if the origin of the word 'ignorance' because maybe it comes from 'ignoring,'" Telhan said.
Carter said "Reflections on Complexions" has seen diminishing numbers of students every year since its opening six years ago.
"My first year people were lined up into the hallway," Carter said. "Attendance decreases every year, regardless of getting the word out. That's scary to me."
Carter said, however, he was optimistic about the program and said he plans to be involved in the event again next year.
"Events like this need to happen, and they need to happen more frequently," Carter said. "What can we lose? If it's 10 people, that's 10 more people"
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