UT students speak out

On April 22, several student organizations worked together to host the awareness forum titled, "Whose Banana Is it Anyways." This host of panelists included JaNay' Bryant of Minority Enhancement for The University of Tennessee; Shawn Turner of the National Pan-Hellenic Council ; Tommy Jervis, president-elect of the Student Government Association; Emily Curtis Wrinn of Central Program Council; Andrew Garber of LGBT Community; and Raphael Onwuzuruigbo of Black Cultural Programming Committee.

The forum was organized to inform the student body of recent incidents that concerned their safety on campus. The forum was set up in a question-and-answer format. One of several questions asked was, how did you hear about the most recent bias-based incidents? While for the most part, most said they were informed via Facebook or student gossip, Chancellor Cheek's e-mail remained dominate. Panelist Tommy Jervis said, "I heard about it through gossip, I didn't know the real, true story until that morning. I actually got a phone call from WBIR, the Knoxville news station, and I hadn't even read the e-mail yet. So it kind of got me off guard."

Another question posed was, what was your initial reaction to the incidents? Panelist JaNay' Bryant said :"My initial reaction was, why? Anybody who knows me knows that's my favorite question. I'm a thinker. People cannot like somebody else over something they cannot control. I was sad I was angry I was confused. All those emotions mixed up in one."

Other questions were mentioned, such as, what are your thoughts on Chancellor Cheeks e-mail about civilities? Panelist Raphael Onwuzuruigbo said, "Me personally, I was proud of the university. They decided to send out a public statement. However, I feel that there have been several other incidents that were on a top scale that were not spoken about It kind of makes me wonder, why? Was it because somebody not in our group of students here saw something?"

Another question that was raised, was, what factors or conditions give rise to biased based events in your mind? Panelist Shawn Turner said, " ...If I had to label one ,I would think, it would be the upbringing, the morals and principles you developed or lack thereof in your upbringing as a child play a major role ... ."

Panelist Raquel Onwuzuruigbo responded to this question by stating, "...I feel like the university has given us a wrong definition of diversity. I feel like this country's definition of diversity is what's causing this problem of constant racial incidents on campus"

JaNay Bryant concluded this question by saying, "It's not up to the university, the school books, the teachers, it's not up to them to teach people about who you are; it's about to you to teach people about who you are. I think we're the factors."

Maxine Davis, Dean of Students, responded to the students concluding statement by stating, "I'm hearing you loud and clear." Dean Davis goes on to explain that the incidents have been responded to. The way the incidents are communicated seems to be the problem. Dean Davis also details a draft including student's suggestion. The university is creating protocol that will be clear to the campus.