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Hilltop Article
Zeta Panel Discusses Black Youth
By Akeyla Brown
Published: Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1

Last night, the ladies of Alpha chapter, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated hosted the premier forum, titled "Keeping Your Head Up," for Zeta week 2005. The relaxed and inspirational forum, focused on the positive and negative and impact that parents, the educational system, media and social environment has on children.

The forum explored the changes in the black community that are a result of these factors, and how at these social changes within our community can be brought back to what they once were before or how things can be changed so that as a community we can combat the forces of things like the media.

Traci-Amanda Washington, president of the chapter, said she hoped the audience would get "a better understanding of what affects youth today and a better understanding of how to help."

After a few fun icebreakers, the ladies took their seats to engage in an excited discussion with the featured guest speakers like Woodson Carter, Ph. D, and Howard University Black History Professor. Carter touched some very controversial issues that existed within the education system, black community and the United States. Discussing Condoleeza Rice's recent visit to the university of Alabama and the foundation of the public school system, which was " not designed for any of its attendees to succeed," according to Carter.

Despite the rain and cold weather, the Blackburn lounge was peppered with intelligent insightful audience members, who seemed to be particularly passionate about education and human development. Byron Stewart, president of the Howard University Student Association participated briefly in the discussion. One of Carter's former student's, Stewart reflected upon the impact that Carter has made in his academic life.

"It was not until Professor Carter's class that I no longer just memorized information to get by," Stewart said. "In his class it was interesting to learn because the way he delivered his lesson was relative to what was happening in every day life. And I think that more educators should take that approach to teaching"

Student and participant Ashleigh Jones a sophomore broadcast journalism major felt that, "It is so interesting to take a second look at what is going on within the black community, and more importantly it is nice to know that at Howard there are people who want to do something to make a difference where it counts the most, with our children, and I am just so glad that I can be a part of something like this."