Forum attendees discuss sexism, race, intolerance

Women being portrayed as sex objects by the media, gay marriage and interracial relationships were only a few topics discussed at Tuesday's Controversy Forum, where ISU students and faculty members spoke out about controversial topics on Tuesday night.

"Yes, the media has a lot to do with it, look at Sarah Palin, the media showed her in a bikini and dressed like Britney Spears," said Ericka Schneider, a senior Spanish major.

The topic of women as sex objects raised a lot of eyebrows and fingers started being pointed towards music videos.

"Yes, I do believe that women are portrayed as sex objects because of music videos," said Manrich Hardman, a junior recreation and sports management major.

A clip of Don Imus' radio show aired over the video projection and uproar from the crowd began. The panel and audience deliberated over his harsh words against a black girls' basketball team, calling them "nappy haired hoes."

Sade' Edwards, a senior elementary and special education major, asked the audience the difference between Imus' words and comedian Dave Chappelle's racial comedy and if Dave Chappelle should be held accountable for his words just as Imus was.

"Don Imus turned the blame on Snoop Dogg, but rappers say those names just for fun. They aren't calling a team full of innocent girls offending names," Hardman said.

Linda Maule, associate professor of political science, women's studies, and coordinator of the general education program, asked, asked why it's okay for one ethnic group to call themselves a name, but it's not okay for other ethnic groups to call them that same name.

"The line should be drawn," she said.

Gay marriage was the next topic of discussion to be brought up, and once again a rush of voices filled the room.

"Since I'm a Christian and a preacher of the Bible, I do believe in the Word and I do think that God will deal with homosexuality in his own way, but I do not have a problem with it, we preach against all sexual sin," said Terry Clark, instructor of African-American Studies. "It doesn't bother me, I'm not homophobic, I ain't scared of nobody."

All panel members, as well as some audience members, were for gay rights.

Interracial relationships had a positive overall feel in the discussion.

"It's your business if you date someone of the opposite race. As long as you find happiness with that person, that's all that matters," Hardman said.

"I support them if you really love the person, I may take a double take, but that's because it's uncommon to see an interracial couple, but it doesn't mean I dislike it," said Josh Chapman, a junior criminology and criminal justice major.

The night ended with the question: Is America ready for a black president?

"The votes will show it. If the popular votes win, then we know that the public wants Obama, otherwise they wouldn't vote for him," Hardman said.

Michael Scott Jr., a senior political science major and president of Student Government Association asked, "Are they ready for an African American president, or is America ready for Barack Obama?"

Because not all of the topics they had planned were discussed, the organizers of the forum said there may be a Controversy Forum II. Details are available on Facebook.

( Kala Kinman is a freshman psychology major. She can be reached at sascamed@isugw.indstate.edu.)