By: Jason Klaiber
Staff Writer
In response to current turmoil in Baltimore and a student’s series of racist tweets, University Ministries hosted an open forum, during which students, staff and faculty members discussed race relations Wednesday in the University Chapel.
Father Francis Di Spigno, O.F.M., executive director of University Ministries, moderated the forum. Every attendant received a pen and a notecard to write down his or her thoughts as well as a microphone if he or she wished to speak. Father Francis prohibited shouting, interruptions, bigotry and any comments that could be deemed inappropriate.
Father Francis spoke to residents of the second floor of Falconio Hall, where the student who sent the tweets lives, on Tuesday night. Similar to that talk, Father Francis concluded the forum by asking every attendant to hold hands and join in prayer.
“[The forum] addressed all the issues that [are] going on in this world about racism,” Bonaventure Akinlosotu, a sophomore political science major, said. “I think it’s a good first step for us to take as a small community.”
However, Akinlosotu said in addition to organizing talks, positive change should take place at St. Bonaventure.
“We need to bring change,” Akinlosotu said. “Talking without action is just noise. If we bring action to [this talk], then this is a meaningful thing. We should have this maybe once a week or once a month to see the changes being brought about.”
Chris Brown, director of First-Year Experience and orientation, said it was necessary for the forum to take place.
“I thought that the important part of the talk was not necessarily to fix what’s going on in the world today, but to hear what our students are thinking right now,” Brown said. “In a situation like this, I think it’s important for me to be able to step back and listen and to hear from the experiences of people who don’t share my background.”
Josh Maxey, a senior political science major, said the talk was informative and moving.
“I would hope that Bonaventure would continue to have talks like this,” Maxey said.
Erik Furgal, a sophomore international studies major, said the forum opened up a healthy discussion.
“I think [the forum] was very beneficial because we talked about [race relations] not only in the context of our nation but in the context of our community here,” Furgal said. “This was a place where we could healthily and positively convey how we were feeling.”
Kerelle Caldwell, assistant director of the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), said the forum brought the attendants together despite their viewpoints and differences.
“[The forum] gave everyone a voice,” Caldwell said.
Barry Gan, a philosophy professor and faculty senate chair, said that additional open forums wouldn’t have much of an effect.
“Efforts have to continue in a myriad of directions, and more meetings of this sort in the long run won’t do anything,” said. “That’s not to say the meeting was a waste—it wasn’t. People needed to know that they’re welcome in this community, and the meeting helped accomplish that purpose.”
