Panel speaks on black men's lives,experiences
Pete Kostin
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Features
On April 14 the Gallery in Founders hall was lined with students, faculty, staff and community members to listen to a panel consisting of eight black men from the Greensboro community and elsewhere.
The goal was for panelists to share their views on topics like masculinity and homosexuality, upbringing and education, but essentially their experiences of being black men.
"Black men are so marginalized in our society that their experiences often exceed what we know about them," said junior organizer Alicia Johnson, further explaining the forum's purpose.
"I've got a couple of butterflies," said Jabari Sellars during an interview before the panel began. Sellars was the youngest panelist by at least 10 years. "I hope (the audience) asks questions that go beyond 'yes' or 'no' answers."
The other panelists were Larry Malloy, a single father; Dr. Tom Coaxum, an institutional research director; Thomas Clodfelter, a public speaker; Jabari Sellars, a Guilford junior; Earl Graham, a pastor; Scott Macmillan, an employee of LabCorp; David Heggie, a director from the YMCA; and Jorga Mesfin, a successful musician.
After much waiting, the student moderator asked the first prewritten question: What is the easiest and most difficult thing about being a black man?
Coaxum replied that constantly having to prove his status in society was his most frustrating obstacle.
"It's always having to validate who you are and how good you are," said Coaxun. "There's a lot of brilliant brothers out there that got simply tired."
Sellars explained that being black has "such a large number of expectations," but also that he has found motivation from the challenge and is confident with the identity that he has built.
"It's almost a cause and effect relationship," said Sellars. "I am cleverly aware of who I am."
Questions about masculinity also came up.
Pastor Graham said he rejected the notion that sexual promiscuity meant being a man.
The goal was for panelists to share their views on topics like masculinity and homosexuality, upbringing and education, but essentially their experiences of being black men.
"Black men are so marginalized in our society that their experiences often exceed what we know about them," said junior organizer Alicia Johnson, further explaining the forum's purpose.
"I've got a couple of butterflies," said Jabari Sellars during an interview before the panel began. Sellars was the youngest panelist by at least 10 years. "I hope (the audience) asks questions that go beyond 'yes' or 'no' answers."
The other panelists were Larry Malloy, a single father; Dr. Tom Coaxum, an institutional research director; Thomas Clodfelter, a public speaker; Jabari Sellars, a Guilford junior; Earl Graham, a pastor; Scott Macmillan, an employee of LabCorp; David Heggie, a director from the YMCA; and Jorga Mesfin, a successful musician.
After much waiting, the student moderator asked the first prewritten question: What is the easiest and most difficult thing about being a black man?
Coaxum replied that constantly having to prove his status in society was his most frustrating obstacle.
"It's always having to validate who you are and how good you are," said Coaxun. "There's a lot of brilliant brothers out there that got simply tired."
Sellars explained that being black has "such a large number of expectations," but also that he has found motivation from the challenge and is confident with the identity that he has built.
"It's almost a cause and effect relationship," said Sellars. "I am cleverly aware of who I am."
Questions about masculinity also came up.
Pastor Graham said he rejected the notion that sexual promiscuity meant being a man.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Jonney
posted 6/22/10 @ 4:09 PM EST
As a black gay man, i found it very difficult growing up, even now it is not easy navigating the black community as a gay.
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