By: Rachael Jackson Staff Writer
The “Ask a Black Person” panel consisted of 6 black students ready to discuss what it is to be black in today’s society. They discussed a wide array of topics including: experiences on campus, misconceptions of hair, and the Black Lives Matter movement. Due to low attendance from those students outside of the club, the panel turned more into a discussion among them and the group. One student that came out, Rachel Danskey, junior and public policy and administration major, saw how important it is to listen and discuss race issues. She appreciated having the chance to listen to the diverse panel. “[These events] are a segue for me into different perspectives,” Danskey said. “I see how white people have more of a voice than they do, and I think hearing it rather than just reading about in a book brought it all to reality.” Thelma Hale, senior and communications major, explained how the possible perceptions of her hairstyle kept her from wearing it short and natural. “I really didn’t want to come back here [to WOU] with my hair like that, I didn’t think I would feel comfortable. But they love it here; the people here love it. They always have something good to say.” Contact the author at rjackson13@wou.edu or on Twitter @rachaelyjackson
