Is there still a "movement"?

By: Erica Strauss

Posted: 2/9/06

In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, "you must be the change you want to see in the world."

Wittenberg students and faculty took heed of this quote by participating in the "Is There A Movement?" panel, sponsored by Concerned Black Students, on Feb. 1 as a kick-off to Black History Month.

The panel, facilitated by Yusef Abdul-Zahir ('06) and Alicia Lewis ('08), consisted of Nicole Bailey ('08), Manoach Lamarre ('09), and Brittani Sterling ('09). Faculty members Forest Wortham, Apryl Walker, and Esther Ossei-Anto also served as participants on the panel.

"There is still a movement," said Nicole Bailey, referring to the movement from a civil rights perspective. Bailey is an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) chapter in her hometown of Cincinnati. She feels that their contributions have allowed the movement to remain active.

As with any argument, however, there will always be opposition. "I don't think there is a movement," said Lamarre. "The only time we notice anything is when something bad happens."

Hearing both sides of the argument seemed to strike a chord with the audience. They were very receptive to the fact that our society has progressed in some ways, but have continued to remain stagnant in others. Ossei-Anto credited miseducation as one of the biggest hurdles to overcome in movement efforts.

No issue was overlooked, as the panel tackled issues dealing with women's rights, America's role overseas, genocide in Sudan, the media, and educational resources.

As far as genocide in Sudan, several people felt that America has so much that we should be trying to assist in any way possible. Others seemed to think that America should stay out of foreign affairs.

"It seems as if we're moving too fast in trying to solve the problems of other countries when maybe we should be focusing on our own," said senior Bruce Robinson, who felt America needs to resolve our personal issues before we make moves to help others.

The panel discussion proved how important it is for members of society to start with themselves in order to facilitate change on a larger scale. Everyone has to be willing to step outside their comfort zone and include all realms of society in order for a movement of any nature to take place.