On Monday, April 2, the student-led discussion group, Talk About It!, presented the first in a series of events to promote dialogue among Fordham students. Its first event, Race and Fordham: What It Is and What It Could Be, encouraged the discussion of race relations within the Fordham community. Over 120 students gathered in O'Keefe Commons to listen and voice their opinions about this important issue. Race and Fordham was sponsored by a variety of groups including United Student Government, Commuting Students Association, Mock Trial, Academia Hispania, Asian Cultural Exchange, Women in Communications, Campus Ministry, Fordham faculty, the Athletics Department, the Dean's Office and the Office of Student Leadership and Community Development.
An introductory address, entitled "First Things First," opened the discussion. The speaker was Felicia Reid, FCRH '07 and the coordinator of Race and Fordham. She first addressed the current situation at Fordham.
"There is a disconnect between students, faculty and administration…a tension around race," Reid said. Then she explained her reasoning for organizing this event.
"Instead of building walls, we need to build bridges. We need to change the way we look at race. We begin by talking, talking with one other and not at one another."
After Reid finished her remarks, the next part of the night, "Freedom of Speech," commenced. A group of student presenters shared their experiences of relations with other Fordham students, faculty and staff to the audience. One student explained how a Fordham staff member assumed he was an athlete due to the color of his skin. Mohsin Din, FCRH '09, described his experiences as an American Muslim and misconceptions Fordham students and professors sometimes have about Muslims.
"We all have to realize we are collective humanity," Din told the audience.
Zolia Mendez, FCRH '07, talked about the negative comments one RA made at a RA diversity forum.
2008 Woodie Awards
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