The imaginary borderline that separated races and groups seemed to disappear during a unity forum Wednesday.
Hosted by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, the Rev. Dennis Givens and his wife, Debra, from New Horizon Outreach Ministries in South Bend spoke on unity in college and the need for the black community to come together. Dennis focused on unity among the different minority groups, a separation due to stereotypes and conflicts on initiative and leadership.
"You might not think it but we need one another," Dennis told the audience. "For you to get where you are today, someone had to help you. You're here to help somebody and somebody is here to help you."
Dennis also encouraged the students to cross the barrier and communicate with those whom they may not have communicated with before.
"People won't deal with other people because they feel intimidated," Dennis said. "Break out of your cliques, and expand your understanding. You have to deal with other people to understand one another."
Dennis also stress-ed using self-esteem to get along with others. He told students that being themselves was the only way to fit in with any group and urged them to break away from peer pressure to bridge the gap between cultures. He also urged greeks and non-greeks to come together and accept each other as a whole.
Junior Carla Burke said the forum was enlightening and will take strong effect on those who were present.
"You can tell (it made a difference) by the attitudes that have been changed," Burke said. "This program will be more successful if we go out and spread the word to those who weren't here."
Sophomore Jason Crowe agrees.
"Even for the people who didn't speak out, it was a wake-up call for what we can do," Crowe said.
During the discussion, members of the audience were allowed to voice their opinions and concerns on the subject of unity. When the topic shifted from the divide between leaders and followers to the divide between greeks and non-greeks, senior Kenneth Garmon said greeks are human beings and should not be idolized.
"I don't want people thinking that just because we are in a fraternity that we are gods," Garmon said. "The letters on my chest don't mean anything except I am in a fraternity. God makes me who I am."
Alpha Phi Alpha secretary Otis Garmon said the topics of the forum were something that needed to be discussed, and unity begins with the individual.
"Unity is being real with yourself," Garmon said. "You can't be an individual and be unified - it starts with you as a person."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
