When she was a first-grader, Christine Taylor, interim assistant to the president for diversity, was one of the first black students to attend a newly integrated school in her town. On that day, not only did she go to school, she symbolically brought the whole town along, she said to a packed group of many ethnicities and ages in Baker 1804 Lounge yesterday.
Profiles in Courage: The African American Experience at Ohio University was the first in a series of lunch-hour panels on diversity at OU designed to provide an opportunity to hear first-hand experiences from a diverse range of groups on campus.
Our goal is to increase diversity between faculty
students and staff said first lady Deborah McDavis, who did a brief welcome speech to introduce the featured panelists and moderator Glenn Doston, professor of counseling and higher education.
The panelists circulated many perspectives addressing the meaning of diversity and courage.
Connie Perdreau, director of education abroad, brought a picture of her ancestor, a black senator during Reconstruction who promoted rights for women as well as blacks.
Family is such a part of Profiles in Courage for me and I think for every one else Perdreau said.
Many of the panelists discussed the former and continuing fight for equality at OU. Stacey Brinkley, associate director of admissions, said that when she was an undergraduate in the '80s, she fought to have Black Entertainment Television in residence halls.
We're seeking first to understand
so that we can be understood
Brinkley said. We exert courage because that's from whence we've come.
Najee Muhammad, associate professor of educational studies, expressed his frustration with some students and faculty who have rejected some of the things he has taught about -such as Malcolm X.
I'm a product of the 1960s
Muhammad said. I think we need to go back there. It was a time of many dreadful and yet progressive events, he said.
I really don't know what to say about being courageous. I don't know too many African-Americans in the United States that haven't been courageous
said Lindsey Bryson, the associate professor of civil engineering and the only black faculty member in the College of Engineering. Sometimes the biggest burden that you carry is being the only.
William Allen, associate dean of the University College, discussed his anger at being subordinated because of his skin color. Hearing the N-word repeatedly does not make one more tolerant of it, Allen said.
The panelists' solutions for promoting diversity at OU included more education, perhaps as part of general education.
Jacee Boganwright, a junior specialized studies major, said the panel painted a complete picture of diversity, sparking her interest in the topic.
The event was sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, the Office of the University Ombuds, the Office for Institutional Equity and the MLK Committee.
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Ellie Behling
