BUIES CREEK, North Carolina – Campbell junior Diane Ford says it’s a complicated time to be a young black woman or man in this country. She’s taking it upon herself to start the conversation with her fellow students by heading a week of activities that includes a panel discussion for Campbell students and faculty titled “Reducing Racial and Ethnic Prejudice,” Wednesday night. The event will provide an opportunity for students of all ethnicities to address local and national issues involving race.
“There’s an election coming up, and it’s the perfect time to have these discussions,” said Ford, a pre-law major from Brooklyn, New York. “Here at Campbell, it’s time to discuss the lack of diversity in our faculty and in our studies. These are important issues, and I just want to shed light on them.”
Campbell’s gospel choir will perform at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Connections 200 at Turner Auditorium, then will roam the Academic Circle Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. to collect questions from students on issues they’d like to see discussed, according to campus associate minister Louisa Monroe Ward.
Campbell will present the film “Selma” on Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m. in Turner Auditorium. The week of events will end on a positive and uplifting note Friday with “Praying for our Protection: A Time for Prayer” at 7 p.m. in the Academic Circle.
Ford, whose older brother attended Campbell and earned his degree in 2013, said she feels at home at Campbell despite her urban New York upbringing. She said she’s taking the initiative to schedule these events during Black History Month because it’s better to take the initiative than complain that not enough is being done.
“It should start with the students, students who care about this school and their classmates,” she said. “This week is my way of giving back to the school I love.”
There will also be a Black History Month banquet Wednesday night following the panel, a Performing Arts Night on Feb. 26, and a fashion show on Feb. 27. For more information, contact Ford at ddford1009@email.campbell.edu.
Black History Events
Wednesday, Feb 17
Gospel Choir Performance in Connections 200
10 a.m., Turner Auditorium
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Prejudice: Panel Discussion with Campbell faculty and students
6 to 8 p.m., Turner Auditorium, D. Rich
There will be a table in the Academic Circle on Tuesday, Feb. 16, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. when Gospel Choir members and Campus Ministry staff will take questions that students would like to see addressed during the panel discussion.
Thursday, Feb. 18
Movie Night: “Selma”
6 to 9 p.m., Turner Auditorium
Friday, Feb. 19
Praying for our Protection: A Time of Prayer
7 p.m., Academic Circle