Students shared their thoughts on the protests, grand jury decision and other topics related to Ferguson, Missouri at a forum Dec. 1.
Throughout the night, the discussion transformed into how Bradley students can be positively involved in the issue on campus.
According to Multicultural Student Services Assistant Director Norris Chase, more than 40 students attended the event, including members of the Black Student Alliance, the Association of Latin American Students and Delta Sigma Theta.
“Personally, I believe that this dialogue was a great first step to students voicing their concerns about this incident,” Chase said.
Much of the discussion focused on the media surrounding Ferguson. According to sophomore St. Louis native Katelyn Schalk, while there is currently racial tension within the St. Louis community, the media makes the problem seem worse than it is.
“I did see one article about people going out and painting boarded up windows and picking up trash,” Schalk said. “They need to show things like this because these are the things that unify us.”
The students at the forum shared similar opinions. Chase asked for a show of hands from those surprised by the Grand Jury decision to not indict police officer Darren Wilson, and one hand rose. He then asked who was frustrated with that decision and nearly every hand rose.
One student in attendance mentioned the majority of the faces at the forum were familiar to her, and she would like new people to come to events in order to spark more conversation.
Alumnus Josiah Williams (2014) said a big problem is the tension between police officers and civilians, and he would like to see Bradley police officers at forums to gain their perspectives.
According to Chase, more forums will likely be planned with Bradley police involved.
“I would confidently assume that they would be more than willing to be a part of future forums that are designed to inform, support and engage our students,” Chase said.
Sophomore pre-business major Martin Jackson said he believes the Ferguson protests could be the start of the next civil rights movement.
“We’re sitting around, and we’re talking, and we’re protesting, but we need to go out there and make the change,” Jackson said. “We have to think of this country as a business. If we don’t feel like our justice system is where it should be, we have the right to change that because we are shareholders in this business.”
Students suggested ways to start encouraging change, including holding a meeting between campus organization presidents to discuss issues on campus, putting up posters to advertise for Multicultural Student Services events and arranging a “die-in” protest.
“[Students] were heard about this clearly tonight,” Vice President for Student Affairs Nathan Thomas said. “Some of these are already in the works. We will discuss and come to decisions on these issues. Know these conversations are happening on the highest level, from the board of trustees down to the students.”
A “die-in” protest will be held today at 11:45 a.m. in front of Bradley Hall and again at 12:45 p.m. in Michel Student Center, according to an email sent by Jackson.
