Those in attendance at the #SpeakUpSU forum on Friday afternoon saw the event as a positive first step to promoting change on campus. But they agreed it was just that: a first step.

The event, which was held in Grant Auditorium, was organized by the campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and lasted nearly three hours. Most of the discussion focused on different marginalized identities at Syracuse University and coming up with concrete points that could be used to implement changes.

“The main goal was to create a safe space to talk about issues and let people voice their opinions without being judged,” said Brianna Dutton, the press and publicity co-chair for the Syracuse chapter of the NAACP.

Dutton said she thought the event went even better than expected. There were people with a lot of diverse backgrounds in attendance, and many SU community members besides students showed up. When organizing the event, the NAACP didn’t want it to be limited to just students or just students of certain identities, she said.

The discussion was mediated by Kim Williams, a Ph.D. student, and Valerie Martinez from the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Williams said she was happy to help mediate the forum, and was pleased to hear students were organizing the event.

“It’s always difficult to facilitate conversations like this,” Williams said after the event. “There are so many different people, different interests represented, different understanding of the issues, but I was happy they did something because the first step is always the hardest.”

Not everyone at the forum spoke, but those that didn’t speak had other reasons for attending. Alison Stuart, a sophomore inclusive elementary education major, said while she doesn’t know exactly what certain marginalized communities are going through in the aftermath of the Strong video, she wanted to be in attendance and show support.

Tiffany Steinwert, dean of Hendricks Chapel, also said she felt it was important for her to attend the forum

“Personally, as a straight-identified, white ally committed to dismantling systems of oppression, I simply could not not be there,” she said in an email following the event.

Steinwert added that it’s important for allies to physically show up and give support that goes beyond social media.

The forum itself was helpful in bringing people together, Steinwert said.

“These types of events have the possibility of bringing people together who may never have known each other if not for their common concern and outrage over recent events,” she said.

Others at the event added that they took lessons away for what needs to happen next in order for change to be seen.

“These discussions are positive but they need to expand to the whole campus,” said Derek Horn, a senior communications design major.

“We need to focus on spreading these messages to other people,” said Horn.

Taryne Chatman, who shared a poem at the event that he’d written titled “I too am SU,” said he came to the forum both to voice his opinion and to hear others speak. Chatman, a freshman political philosophy major, said the discussion opened his eyes to ways he can improve as a person and it brought up ways to confront the problem of hearing derogatory or hurtful language on campus.

“Knowing it’s going to be uncomfortable doesn’t mean I should remain silent,” he said.

Chatman added that he thought it’s important for those who attended the #SpeakUpSU event to maintain a connection and further the conversations that were started on Friday.

Even with all the positives that came out of the three hours in Grant, many people spoke after the meeting about the need to have a concrete action plan and to continue the dialogue beyond the first meeting.

Said Williams, the moderator: “It’s a good first step.”

Published on September 15, 2014 at 12:01 am

Contact Brett: blsamuel@syr.edu | @Brett_Samuels27