By Elena RottigniStaff Writer
Race, class and education in the 21st century.
These were the topics discussed during an on-campus forum held inCasa Real on Wednesday.
The forum, organized by Associated Students, was held to discussthe past, present and future of important issues that affect collegestudents.
Some of the issues guest speakers talked about were logic andemotions, issues of morality, political empowerment, promotingdiversity and economic justice.
“Race and class have been replaced by sheer economic concentrationof wealth,” John Warren, one of the guest speakers, said. “There is adecrease in concern about race, but education still remains apriority.”
Warren said school has become a place where students live andspend most of their time but the importance of individuality is moreprominent today than it has been in the past.
He also said students may think and explore what an institutioncan offer them, because in today’s world, the number of degreesearned do not count anymore; what counts is the time they live in andwhat they learn from it.
The topics addressed at the forum were a way to let students knowhow they can make a difference in society and in their lives.
Alex Tom, a San Diego State student and speaker at San Diegoschools on economic justice, said it is also important to realizethat race counts not in every day life but within a classroom, andfair representation will eventually improve education.
“We need a better school system for our poor youth of color,” Tomsaid. “High schools in San Diego and all across America need morefunds but also they need to know how that money invested ininstitutions is spent.”
Congressman Bob Filner, who participated in the event, saidstudent involvement could change American history if they getinvolved within school programs and activities.
“I want to talk about political empowerment, but let me say thatyou (students) have power today,” Filner said. “The political systemis far less controlled than what it looks like below the surface.”
San Diego NAACP President Petrina Burnham agreed with Filner andsaid students have the opportunity to promote diversity today becausethere is still a lot of ignorance among young people.
She mentioned a political ballad that will be held on April 19about classifying people by race, by state or any other entities. Sixhundred thousand votes are needed to defeat it.
Other issues were about increasing access to technology, activismand the role of faculty of color in institutions.
“Access to technology is available today but has to be increasedand utilized in an effective manner because technology helpseducation,” Firyali Makau, communication technology developer, said.
SDSU women’s studies professor Patricia Washington said racereally matters and it does have an important role in institutions.
“But there are still students here who have never taken a classwith a teacher of color, and we are trying to make this happen,”Washington said. “Education is also about doing something that day,in that moment, within the academic environment.
“You, students, have power, and not just by showing up in classbut by making a difference in those classrooms. That’s what everySDSU student should learn.”
