About 50 Democrats of varying races met Monday night in 103 Bingham Hall to discuss a variety of racial issues facing Americans.
The event was co-sponsored by the Black Student Movement and the UNC-Chapel Hill Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The forum served to address a variety of concerns affecting both blacks and society as a whole.
Young Democrats Vice President Scott Jones started the forum with a brief history of the party's involvement in the civil rights movement. Then Secretary Susan Navarro discussed the appointment of conservative John Ashcroft as U.S. attorney general.
After discussion of these topics, UNC-CH NAACP President Ryan Wilson gave a short presentation on racial profiling. He cited examples to demonstrate what minorities face. For instance, in Illinois, Latinos account for less than 8 percent of the population but are pulled over 27 percent of the time. "I hope this shows that (racial profiling) is just a way to perpetuate racial stereotypes," he said. "It's not just a black problem; it's a nationwide problem."
Lively discussion followed Wilson's speech, but it was nothing compared to the rapid and passionate discussion following the next topic -- reparations. BSM President Tyra Moore discussed the many diverse opinions held about what the government owes blacks as a result of slavery.
Moore said she was pleased with the exchange of ideas. "I wish we could stay in here all night and talk about it," she said. "To ignore history or say it's not important is going to affect our future."
Wilson said she was pleased with the discussion fostered by the forum. He felt that it was an excellent way for people to learn about the many different problems affecting American minorities.
"I thought (the forum) was very good. It educated me on some things I wasn't sure of," he said. "It surprised me so many people were willing to speak out."
Young Democrats President Chris Brook echoed Wilson's sentiments and felt that the forum served a very important function. "The goal of the forum was to get information," he said. "I felt it was different because the focus was not on how you feel but on the solutions."
