Diversity “Talks”

How often do you get to talk about racism at Emory & Henry? How often in a room packed full of students and professors?

Martin Luther King, Jr. events kicked off last Thursday, Jan. 17 with a lyceum entitled “Emory & Henry College: Many Cultures, One Community,” which featured a panel of eight students. Sponsored by the Multicultural Society, students on the panel had differing backgrounds. Students included fifth year Kannan Rasiah of Singapore, freshman Wendy Saucedo of Mexico, senior Will McLeod of Florida, junior Angaza Thom of Brooklyn, New York, freshman Alexandria Nail of Georgia, senior Sarah Matney of southwest Virginia, senior Zaneta Tutuh, and junior Mwenda Kazadi of Congo and Liberia.

Mass Communications professor Dr. Twange Kasoma moderated the discussion, which began with questions of E&H’s diversity. Thom agreed with others that E&H is a “dominantly white school” and does not offer much diversity. Tutuh countered with the argument that E&H may not be targeting many cultures in recruitment. Math professor Dr. Aris Winger made the point that E&H has been supportive, “absolutely.”

Discussion heated up when freshman Devin King asked faculty if they were going to sit around and talk about it, or actually do something. Mass Communications department chair Dr. Teresa Keller responded that change is a “two-way street” and for students not to back down.

The discussion, lasting an hour and a half, left a lasting impression on students. “[The lyceum] was good,” says student Circe Anderson, “but I think diversity is an issue at Emory that needs to be discussed more often…. not just once a year.”

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