Students Invested in Change (SIC), a social justice organization at USC, hosted the second Unite USC discussion-based forum in the Russell House Ballroom at 6 p.m. Thursday night.
Fourth-year African-American studies student Karli Wells opened the debate with a clear statement of intent: “We formed this organization to talk about racial tensions on campus and we wanted to use this as a platform to continue having that conversation."
This forum was full of personal and powerful anecdotes from students who have been affected by sexism, racism, classism and homophobia, but the main focus was working toward clear solutions to these issues.
“I think this forum will be different than regular meetings because of the wide range of people and differing ideas and opinions in the room tonight,” third year biology student Brooke Troxell said.
The forum was organized into three main sections: sexuality, gender and race. There was also a free-for-all question and answer portion.
Students eagerly took turns with the mic and provided solutions such as expanding the reach of Safe Zone Ally training, incorporating social justice discussions into orientation and petitioning for First-Year Reading Experience books that talk about social issues.
Students were not the only people in attendance — audience members also included the Assistant Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Programs, Carl Wells.
“In terms of solutions, I feel like we are preaching to the choir. So what would happen if we brought this discussion to some of the more non-traditional groups on campus?” he said. “We need to bring it to another level. Change is a process, not a person.”
Also present at the forum was Student Body President Jonathan Kaufman, who took center-stage during a question on race.
“We need ya’ll to speak up, and I’m with you. Tell me how I can serve you and best work beside you. We have a long way to go and it’s a lot of responsibility, but we can get there,” he said.
Organizations like SIC, and students and faculty members like those at the forum, are working toward representing all students at USC in order to provoke progressive change in policy and community outlook.
Another forum has not yet been scheduled; however, SIC has confirmed that there will be more in the future.