Campus discusses sensitive issues at OC Town Hall

A discussion over the culture and climate of the Oklahoma Christian University community opened students and faculty to talk about racial and cultural issues on Monday night.

Student Government Association president Zekariah McNeal, who labeled the open discussion as OC Town Hall, created the event that took place in Judd Theater. McNeal said it was important for the community to gather together and tackle issues of importance.

“It was definitely a success; it was a topic worth discussing, which I think is what makes it successful,” McNeal said. “I think people learned from it.”

Risa Forrester, vice president for admissions and marketing, acted as a moderator. She opened the discussion with the subject of racism.

“To me, racism is the belief that one race is superior to another,” sophomore Nidine Phillip, a panel member at the event, said.

According to Forrester, 28 percent of the student body is from a non-Caucasian background.

Subjects discussed included the issue of abused authority, recent issues of racism near Edmond, whether or not our campus practices diversity in ways that allows opportunities for all, specific public steps that Oklahoma Christian could take that would make a real difference and attract minority students, and if racism and prejudice exist on our campus.

Panel member Mary Jo Betancourt shared a personal experience where she was told to “go back to her country and leave OC alone” because of her Guatemalan background. “The worst part is that the people around me were hearing all these racist comments and no one dared to say anything to him,” Betancourt said. She said she would never have expected that kind of behavior on a Christian campus.

Yik Yak is a mobile app that allows users to post and read comments anonymously. According to Phillip, the app was being used to make racist comments and posts. “I felt like I was threatened,” Phillip said.

The app was blocked on school Wi-Fi network last year, but the action showed how serious forms of cyber bullying were getting.

Another question asked was whether or not students separating into social groups with only their race is racially discriminating.

“You’re more comfortable with people you relate to. You’re more comfortable with people you look like and who have the same taste as you,” Phillip said. “If that means that I’m sitting with the group of black people then I’m sorry, I don’t see that as racist. I just see that as something that naturally happens.”

Multicultural and Service Learning Coordinator Gary Jones explained when the action would become racism.

“It becomes racist when I am told I can’t sit at a table because it’s only with white guys and I’m not white,” Jones said.

The meeting covered multiple issues facing international students or students from multiple cultures last night as well.

“A lot of the international students are here because they’re the smartest in their class or in their school and were sent to America to learn,” panel member Mekko Factor said. “But there is a language barrier sometimes, people don’t know what to think about them because they don’t always speak English well.”

A question was asked if the modern media causes more racism because of the extensive coverage.

“It’s been around, nothing’s changed,” panel member Collyn Lee said. “50 years ago we had even worse happen and media didn’t cover it.”

Jones said he believes that racism is a learned behavior. Racism is an issue today, but these issues can be solved over time.

“I was raised never to get in an elevator with a white lady,” Jones said. “I was raised to keep my hands in my pockets at all times at the store so I wouldn’t be accused of stealing.”

The key to finding solutions to racial issues in America is to see people as people, Factor said.

“You can’t write your own history but you can help fix the future,” Factor said. “You need to value everyone as a person, as a human being, as a brother and sister in Christ.”

Raising awareness that there is an issue is important, Phillip said. “The first step that everyone can take is to talk about it,” Phillip said.

Jones said that silence is perceived consent. If someone witnesses an unjust action it needs to be acknowledged.

According to McNeal the event was deemed a success.

“I was on fire. I was on the edge of my seat for a lot of it,” McNeal said. “Those stories make me upset, and it’s good to be upset by those stories because those are things that need to be changed — need to be addressed.”

Senior Brandi Williams said she was glad people were finally saying what she had been thinking, but she had one concern.

“All the people that need to be here aren’t the people who are here,” Williams said. “It’s a great discussion but it’s kind of like preaching to the choir.”

McNeal said he hopes there will be similar events in the future with a larger turnout.