Sorority sponsors race relations discussion

Students packed High Rise East's rooftop lounge last night to hear a discussion presenting opposing views of race relations and diversity on campus. The discussion, entitled "Race Swept Under the Rug: A Real Discussion About the Issue of Diversity on Penn's Campus," was sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and included History Professor Alan Kors and Sociology Professor Antonio McDaniel among its panelists. Nursing junior and AKA sister Dakara Rucker said she hoped the event would provide a forum for an "open discussion" on differing views about race and ethnic relations. The discussion drew more than 70 individuals concerned about the University and the surrounding community. Rucker, who moderated the 90-minute discussion, said the event provided the "other side" that people often misunderstand and know little about in the discussion about cultural differences. Everyone present -- students and faculty alike -- addressed a host of issues, including racism in society, affirmative action and University President Judith Rodin's minority permanence plan. "I was very glad with the turnout," said Rucker, who added that she was also pleased with the diversity of the crowd. Kors described the event as "a wonderful discussion that was incredibly open-minded." He said he appreciated the honesty and civility of all the comments -- some of which were "provocative." "I presented opinions that were not shared by many people in the room," Kors said. But overall, he said he thought the forum was "an honest exchange of opinion" and wished that the University had more occasions for similar debates. McDaniel expressed similar sentiments about the need for opportunities to talk about issues as important as race. "Healthy discussion is important," he said. "Today's climate has made us pretend that problems do not exist." The large turnout gave students like Wharton sophomore Courtney Dodd hope that "concerned students can show that something positive can come out of this." Dodd -- like many in the crowd -- remained after closing remarks to sign a list circulated for students interested in continuing the effort for change on campus. But some students expressed frustration over the lack of possible solutions to the racial differences. McDaniel said, however, he believes this frustration is caused by race being "swept under the rug" -- not by the difficulty events such as last night's have in coming up with solutions. "The problem is that people are not willing to pay the price of the solution," said McDaniel, who added that the first step towards enlightenment about race is to talk about it. "Let's continue this discussion," he said.