Students were given the spotlight to discuss issues of race, culture and society during Dialogues on Diversity, an event coordinated by Activities Council of Bradley University (ACBU) Feb. 26 in the Marty Theater.<\/p>\n
The discussion was moderated by Ron Jones, an Emmy award winning comedian and speaker who has gained recognition as one half of the traveling stage show \u201cThe Black-Jew Dialogues,\u201d which, according to the show’s website, \u201ccombines fast-paced sketches, improvisations, multi-media, puppets and a game show\u201d to provide a fresh take on the current and historical relations between the two cultures.<\/p>\n
Jones’ background in comedy, along with a wide array of visual supports, provided a loose, interactive atmosphere for those in attendance to share their thoughts and experiences with one another.<\/p>\n
\u201cI’m here to play with you guys tonight,\u201d Jones said to the audience. \u201cWe’re here to have fun.\u201d<\/p>\n
To promote healthy discussion among audience members, Jones offered a selection of junk foods, such as boxes of Cap’n Crunch and and tubes of Pringles, as rewards for those who were willing enough to make themselves heard during the event.<\/p>\n
While the overall tone of the evening was light and humorous, Jones took time to touch upon the hardships of many groups throughout the history of the world, ranging from past issues like women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement to current ones such as same-sex equality and rights for migrant workers.<\/p>\n
ACBU event coordinator Rachel Bikshorn said that Jones was invited to campus to give students an opportunity to think about the constantly changing landscape of the current American society.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe live in a generation where there’s just so many diverse people that we work with every day and have to interact with, and it’s a good way to think about everything that’s happening in society,\u201d Bikshorn, a junior secondary education major, said.<\/p>\n
Sophomore mechanical engineering major Francis Stuart said that he felt the discussion would help serve as a catalyst for an improved sense of social awareness on Bradley’s campus, as Jones stressed the importance of banding together to stand up for the rights of others, as opposed to fighting alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don’t have to have a social conscience, but it doesn’t hurt,\u201d Jones said. \u201cSociety gets better the more we care about each other.\u201d<\/p>\n