Ed Brunson is part
of the 8.5 percent of “underrepresented communities”
here at Appalachian State University, according to recent
statistics provided by Harry Williams, associate vice chancellor
for diversity.
“The school can spend all this money on bringing Dave
Matthews into town, but we can’t afford to have a barber
here that knows how to cut African-American hair,”
Brunson said. Brunson said although he knows Appalachian
is not responsible for providing barbers for the students,
it is still annoying to have to cut his own hair because
the school and surrounding areas are not culturally diverse
enough to provide one.
“I feel that Harry Williams will help [diversity] because
I feel represented now ... I know that [Appalachian is] trying
to be more culturally diverse but [minorities] don’t
need to be pandered to, it should all be equal,” Brunson
said.
The Black Student Association hosts an open forum Oct. 27
at 6 p.m. in the Attic Window Room of Plemmons Student Union,
where Brunson and others can discuss issues affecting minorities
at Appalachian.
The forum, “How to be an Effective Minority in Class
and on Campus,” will be in a question and answer format
led by some of Appalachian’s minority professors and
teachers.
“We all know ... that you are one of the few minorities
in your classroom ... so come [to the forum] to discuss and
ask questions on how to deal and feel more comfortable, or
to even vent,” Shalonda Goodwin, chair of BSA, said.
Goodwin said she encourages everyone, regardless of ethnicity,
to attend the forum.
A“Hopefully [non-minorities] will see that we do have
some issues that are valid ... put yourself in our shoes,
how you can help us feel better, fit in more,” Goodwin
said.
The forum will encourage students to go and talk to their
professors if they are having problems in the classroom and
teach students how to open the lines of communication between
all races and cut down on ignorance and stereotypes, Goodwin
said.
“Any race can have stereotypes of other races, and
hopefully this forum will help stop that. People need to
be willing to break the mold… we must have an open
mind and patience, and try to break down walls for people
who don’t understand.
"Try and find a common bond. Don’t just assume
there’s one there, get to know people who are different
than you,” Goodwin said.
“I think it would be a good thing to go to …
to establish a good student-teacher relationship is good,”
Rebecca Carew, a member of BSA, said.
“Being a
minority on campus is definitely a learning experience. Only
you can stop it from being enjoyable.
"BSA offers opportunities like this to give you an outlet
and resources to help you on that journey,” Goodwin
said. |
