Diversity issues must be concern for all at SU

Establishing a public dialogue concerning the large, but often unacknowledged, issues that shape the culture of Syracuse University’s campus community is imperative. Tuesday’s event, titled “Healing the Scars,” should be a starting point for combatting social barriers and diversity concerns at SU.

The event aimed to start a campus-wide dialogue, and allowed students to express concerns about the overarching diversity issues on campus, self-segregation and professors tokenizing minority students in the classroom.

The Daily Orange Editorial Board recognizes the importance of these issues on campus, and wants to see the campus-wide discussion continue and grow.

Though Tuesday’s forum generated much discussion, it should only be the start of an extended campaign that evolves to include the voices of more members of the SU community. It is the movement’s longevity that will allow substantial change, not just a dialogue, to take place.

Students should make use of all platforms available to them at SU to amplify this conversation.

At the forum, most students in attendance identified themselves as part of a minority group. Ronald Taylor, the event organizer and a sophomore at SU, said only 10 of the 300 groups he reached out to responded. Some criticized the lack of faculty and administration in attendance.

Those who did not attend should pay attention and read about this call for a better understanding of diversity. It affects all walks of life here on campus. With the efforts of more individuals, the seeds of thought planted at “Healing the Scars” can become powerful and progressive.

With enough support, these discussions can eventually lead to real change.

Those already passionate about making a difference at SU concerning diversity issues can cultivate greater student and faculty support for the movement by taking advantage of the opportunities available to publicize this cause.

The students involved in this initial discussion should continue to invest their efforts in spreading the word to ensure a comprehensive campaign. Future success in other elements of the movement, like the sit-in Taylor is organizing in the Schine Student Center, will depend on the ability of those involved to create vaster awareness of why it is important to examine these issues.

“Healing the Scars” was a motivating launch toward a greater cause at SU. Those already involved should continue to put their efforts toward gathering more student and faculty support to begin addressing the social barriers on campus.