Follow-Up Forum
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THETUFTS ILY IWhere You Read It First Monday, November 2,1998 Volume XXXVII, Number 36 I Follow-up forum seeks new-solutions Smaller groups try focused effort by DANIEL BARBARIS1 group recounted its discussion Daily Editorial Board and any possible solutions they The follow-up forum organized had come to. by the Coalition for Social Justice, The discussion groups, which Thursday night’s “Many voices, consisted of approximately ten building community”symposium, students each, with two-to-four was an event far smaller in scale facilitators per group, were in- than its predecessor of earlier this tended to be open, free discus- month. Despite drawing only 75- sions representing all points of 100 people, however, the evening view. “Everyone is entitled to their was still seen as a success in the feelings and emotions,” Bhadila eyes of its organizers. said. “We’re here to have a dia- “I’m veryhappywiththepeople logue, not a debate. Attack issues, who are here tonight,” said Coali- not people.” tion member Sasha Baltins. “Ifwe Some of the questions for dis- had400people here, we wouldn’t cussion asked in the groups in- be able to do what we’re trying to cluded “Have you personally been do here tonight.” discriminated against based on Exactly what they were trying your sex, race, ethnicity, or gen- Photo by Daniel Rodngues Students met in small groups to discuss solutions in the follow-up forum voices, build- to do Thursday night was to run a der-bias?” and LcHaveyou ever “Many forum centered on small group consciously or unconsciously ing community.” discussion, rather than the large- been the discriminator in any situ- scale, panel format ofthe previous ation?’ The confidential sessions “Many voices, no community” also aimed to find solutions to forum. Theevent’smainfocuswas problems such as ethnic igno- on crafting viable solutions to is- rance, gender bias, racism, and sues brought up at the earlier fo- homophobia, among other issues. rum, and preparing to act on them. Duringthe sessions,while some “One ofthe reasons we wanted students spoke oftheir experience to hold this forum is that we raised with prejudice and discrimination, a lot of questions last time,” said others commented that they had Coalition member Nahid Bhadelia not felt or seen discrimination‘on in opening the event. “This time, campus, and that they had come to we want to see if we can come the forum in order to better gauge away with some answers.” the political climate at Tufts. beforum opened with a brief Once the larger group had re- introduction by Bhadelia and convened for the solution ses- Baltins. Reading from handouts sion, a representative of each of passed out to all in attendance, the six discussion groups gave a emphasis was placed on under- synopsis oftheir group’s dialogue standing the privileges many in and solutions. majority groups of society have, The representatives spoke on especially heterosexuals and a wide range oftopics, from issues whites, rather than stressing the of economic diversity to specific disadvantages ofminority groups. plans for rallies, to the need for Ajunwa also suggested the Following this, the attendees better communication with thestu- creation of a “soapbox” on cam- broke up into six groups, for 45- dent government and campus pus, a podium set up in a public minute discussion sessions. Fi- media. area where a speaker can talk to nally, the groups reconvened for a Group representative Melissa those passing .by on their way to “solution session,” wherein each Gray recounted her group’s-- feel- class orothercampus locales. “We plan to have a designated area, Women’s health issues Black Solidarity Day today where someone who wants to by DANIEL BARBAFUSI at Tufts: Black Experiences,” to be speak can just get up there and discussed tonight Daily Editorial Board held at 4 p.m. in the South Hall speak to people passing by.” Tonight, women at Tufts will be presented with an opportunity to An increased number of stu- Lounge, are both scheduled in Representative Laura learn and ask questions about important health issues that can dents are expected to be clad in open blocks in order to maximum Sheppard-Brick proposed the cre- potentially have agreat effect on their lives. A forum on this topic, part black today as part of the Pan- attendance. Also scheduled are a ation of a new class specifically ofa series of national college roundtables on women’s health that the African Alliance (PAA)-spon- dinnerat6:30 p.m. in Dewick, and intended to educate incoming stu- Public Health Service’s Office on Women’s Health (PHS OWH) has sored Black Solidarity Day. The a 7:30 p.m. showing of the film dents about issues of bigotry, an been sponsoring around the country since1996, will take place in activities will be Sankofa at idea also championed by Associ- Cabot Auditorium from 7-9 p.m. held throughout Capen House. “I ate Professor Daniel Brown. “The The forum will focus on a variety of issues that have moved into the the day, begin- don’t know big thing we talked about was to forefront of women’s health today, including illnesses such as heart ningat 11:30a.m. whether this day have arequired class on prejudice disease and cancer and how these and other problems could be avoided with arallyon the coincides with and bigot ry... possibly for incom- by changes in behavioral and lifestyle habits. These habits are said to campus center national Black ing freshmen,” Sheppard-Brick include smoking, alcohol, substance abuse, poor diet, lack of physical patio. Solidarity Day,” said. activity, unsafe sexual practices, and failure to wear a seat belt. ‘‘It’s open toall Hassan said, In representing hisgroup, Tufts The PHS OWH makes it clear that all college-age women can Tufts students,” “butwe’ll bedo- Community Union Senator Mike benefit from an education on these behavioral patterns, as they are said PAA Vice ing it today so Weissman challenged the group said to be the cause ofup to 50 percent ofpremature deaths in America. President Sean that we can take to look at the difference between a In fact, as many as one million deaths could be prevented each year Hassan. “Histori- advantage ofthe diverse campus and an integrated by changes in these behaviors. cally, it’s a day of open blocks.” campus, and the question of The forum will begin with a keynote presentation by Senior absence - a day The rally will whether individualized culture Medical Advisorto the PHSOWH Saralyn Mark, M.D. Following her when black people feature several groups create a campus that can address will beascreeningofavideoentit1edGetReal:Straight Talk simply didn’t go speakers, in- be diverse without being inte- About Women’s Health, which discusses the health concerns of to work, or wher- cluding black grated. “Something we kept com- young women today and in the future. Lastly, roundtable discussions ever they’re ex- faculty iembers ing backfto was to what extent led by peer facilitators will take place in addition to a question and Pected to be. so and Dast PAA does the University foster a lim- Dady file photo answer session with a panel made up ofnational and local women’s that the world Capen House presidents, ited kind of diversity? I think it’s health experts, including some within the University. could see what it among others. possible to be diverse without In a press release on the upcoming event, Mark said that students would be like without blacks fora Concerning the rally and its aims, necessarily being integrated.” who attend the roundtables “demonstrate a thirst for women’s health day. We’re asking people of all Hassan said, “From a PAA stand- Weissman also underscored information.” races to wear black as a sign of our point, there are certain political the importanceofutilizingtheTCU Tufts is one of six campuses chosen to host one of these events solidarity.” issueswe’d liketodealwith. We’ll Senate. “The Senate is here to juring 1998-99 school year. Thetwomain eventsoftheday, be doing it in a way where black work for everybody on campus, -Jordan Solomon the rally and a later PAA discus- sion session called “Student Life see DAY, page 14 see FORUM, page 14 2 THETUFTS DAILY November 2,1998 Schumer-D’Amato Sen. battle overshadows other N.Y. races Los Angeles Times-Washington close contest. The latest rounds in both the Republican and Conser- Post News Service the media war have gone mostly to vative Party nominations to Four years ago, New York’s Schumer,but it still remainsa ques- Randall Terry, head of the anti- RepublicanGov. GeorgePatakiwas tion whether he can roll up a big abortion group Operation Rescue. Truth Commission an obscure state senator, sum- enough Democratic margin in the But Terry remains on the ballot as moned by Sen. Alfonse D’ Amato, city and gain enough of the inde- the Right to Life Party candidate Report Highlights S. R-N.Y., to do battle withtheformi- pendent suburban vote to offset and could hinder Walker’s dable Democratic Gov. Mario the Republican’s huge advantage chances in a district where Pataki Cuomo. Pataki did whatwas asked inupstateNew York.BothClintons will run very strongly. African Divide ofhim and defeated Cuomo in one have visited repeatedly to boost Four retiring representatives JOHANNESBURG, South Afiica- On the night four years ago that of that year’s most devastating Schumer, andthere isno Republi- virtually have handpicked their President-elect Nelson Mandela made his victory speech, thou- losses for the Democrats. Now can in the country Democrats are successors. Schumer’s seat will sands of black and white South Africans jammed the downtown Pataki, riding on economic growth more eager to defeat.