Sparked largely by recent tensions that flared after some considered THE HOYA’s coverage of an on-campus Jena Six rally last month insufficient, the discussion — hosted by campus cultural and advocacy organizations and student publications, including THE HOYA, and attended by scores of students — focused mostly on the social implications of race on campus and ways to increase racial awareness at Georgetown.

“People want to think that they are not racist,” Kelsey Compton (SFS ’10) said. “But we need to confront stereotypes so we can work on changing them.”

Many students in attendance said that adding a class about racial awareness to Georgetown’s general education requirements would be a good way to bring about change.

However, some felt that a mandatory requirement would not make a significant difference.

“If we require a class, people won’t take it seriously,” Dorothy Voorhees (COL ’08) said. “People view [Pluralism in Action] as a requirement, and don’t take it seriously.” Pluralism in Action, a mandatory part of the New Student Orientation, is a university program aimed at educating new students about diversity on campus.

Dennis Williams, director of the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access and one of the discussion’s moderators, said the university needs to increase educational initiatives aimed at promoting diversity. “The best way to extend a conversation is to teach it,” he said. Marilyn McMorrow, RSCJ, a visiting assistant professor in the School of Foreign Service, also moderated the panel.

Brian Kesten (COL ’10), a GUSA senator, emphasized a need for a program run “by the students, for the students.” Kesten publicized the formation of the Student Commission for Unity, a research project aimed at studying issues of diversity, prejudice and self-segregation at Georgetown. The group hopes to present their findings and recommendations to the university administration by Feb. 4, 2008.

Students brought different ideas about race to the table in an effort to further awareness and increase understanding. “I’m afraid to say that I don’t believe in race because I’ll be called a racist,” said D. Pierce Nixon (COL ’08), a contributing editor and columnist for THE HOYA, whose column last month discussing race and its connection to the Jena Six incident drew the ire of many students. “A lot of us disagree about what racism means, but I don’t see any reason for grouping people based on their color*… Shouldn’t we be trying to get to a point where that doesn’t exist?”

Ellie Gunderson (COL ’10), president of Georgetown’s chapter of the NAACP and the event’s main organizer, said in an interview after the discussion that the event was effective in producing constructive dialogue on race. Gunderson said that she hopes similar forums are held in the future.

“So many people got to meet each other that had never been in the same room before,” said Ellie Gunderson (COL ’10), president of Georgetown’s chapter of the NAACP and the event’s main organizer. “And not just on a superficial level. When you’re talking to someone about deep issues, racial issues, you’re already on a deeper level. It makes your bond stronger. At the end of the day, we all share some of the same goals.”

While most students were reluctant to speak at the beginning of the discussion, the room became rowdy — with students frequently laughing and clapping at others’ words and many raising their hands to speak — by the time the 90-minute discussion ended.

Gunderson said she was glad the meeting was held.

“It was something that the NAACP had been thinking about doing since last spring,” she said.

She said the discussion provided an opportunity for people who otherwise would likely not interact with each other to meet.

A variety of groups sponsored the discussion, including the African Society of Georgetown, Asian American Student Association, Black Student Alliance, Chinese Student Alliance, Diversity Action Council, Georgetown Israel Alliance, Georgetown Solidarity Committee, Georgetown’s NAACP chapter, GU Pride, GUSA, Latin American Student Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, the Social Justice and Diversity Living-Learning Community, The Corp, The Fire This Time, THE HOYA and Leaders in Education About Diversity.

— Hoya Staff Writer Richie Frohlichstein contributed to this report.

*The article “Students Step Outside Boundaries at Forum” (THE HOYA, Oct. 26, 2007, A1) incorrectly quoted D. Pierce Nixon (COL ’08) as saying “A lot of us disagree about what racism means, but I don’t see any reason for grouping people based on their culture.” Nixon actually said: “A lot of us disagree about what racism means, but I don’t see any reason for grouping people based on their color.”