Faith, Race and Culture continues to make an impact at North Greenville
Posted by The Skyliner on April 21st, 2010Rachel Ham
Staff Writer
Paul Thompson, department of history and political science chair, listens to students as they discuss the issues of stereotypes and how they relate to today’s culture. Gabe Franco/The Skyliner
The Faith, Race and Culture Committee is one of North Greenville University’s newest organizations. The committee started with the goal of giving students a way to express and discuss ideas about different cultures.
The committee also hopes to inform students about the various cultures, races and beliefs of people around them. Learning about these different cultures will get students to think about how to apply biblical principles to the instances when different views on subjects become an issue. The committee’s presentations and coffee house chats also give students a chance to talk about issues that are important to them.
Paul Thompson, department of history and political science chair, has been instrumental in organizing the Faith, Race and Culture Committee and its events.
Besides Thompson, there are several other faculty members involved who represent a variety of majors. Professors from the colleges of education, business, humanities, science and Christian studies make up the committee.
Tony Beam, Vice President of Student Services and Director of the Christian Worldview Center, was chosen as the administrative liaison for the committee.
There have already been two evening presentations and three coffee house chats. The evening presentations have centered on a certain topic, followed by a time of discussion. The coffee house chats were laid out to consist of simple discussions about a pre-determined topic.
At the first evening presentation, which counted as a cultural event, several hundred students were in attendance. The three coffee house chats have averaged about 20 students.
The topics at the meetings have ranged from the history of public school integration to present day stereotyping.
Thompson said that there have been many good things to come out of the presentations and chats. Students and faculty have made strides in understanding each other and the issues that are important to both. Students are learning more about issues that are relevant to their fellow students who are of a different race or culture.
“Students are beginning to see that emotionally charged issues can be discussed in a sensitive, mature way without breaking down into yelling matches, which leave everyone bitter and hurt. Faculty on the committee are developing a better understanding of the human difference issues which impact NGU student life,” Thompson said.
One controversial topic that was discussed was the Brother Sister Fellowship Black History Month chapel service. The committee held a discussion during which students were able to discuss aspects of the chapel that concerned them. Black students and faculty also had the opportunity to discuss what the chapel meant to them.
“It seemed to me that students who had been offended by elements of that chapel left with a better appreciation of some elements of black life in America and common elements of the black worship experience,” Thompson said of the chat.
Currently, there are several events in the works for next semester, but the committee members have not decided on the details. The committee is open to receiving ideas from students about topics they would like discussed.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 12