Carolina Conversations, an initiative created by the University to encourage critical dialogue around current events that impact the Carolina community, centered its first event last Monday on issues of race.
While it is important to hold facilitated conversations in public spaces about race, it is also important to acknowledge that they have already been happening — groups like The Real Silent Sam Coalition and RadAsians have voiced their frustrations and offered suggestions. Carolina Conversations should not attempt to replace those ongoing discussions.
In the future, oppressed groups need to be centered in similar events. This should be done in ways that place value on the lived experiences of people of color without tokenization.
Giving these groups a platform to speak out along with planning roles within Carolina Conversations events allows people who are affected most by these issues to be heard. Otherwise, the same power dynamics that exist outside will be present and cater to privileged people with oppressive opinions.
While the discussion drew a diverse crowd, including some who have not engaged in campus activism, it is easy for conversations to become unsafe and unproductive for people of color.
Facilitators should set a formal list of ground rules or group agreements before discussion starts and encourage privileged participants to be aware of the space they take up.
Carolina Conversations can be one of the first steps in creating a more inclusive and safe campus but only if the same will happen within its own events.
