High school student's death sparks discussion
Brittni Garcia/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Minority Today
The death of a 16-year-old honors student at Fenger High School in Chicago concerns Eastern students.
Janice Collins, an assistant professor of journalism and moderator of an upcoming panel, said the proposal for this idea came from the concerns about violence in the African American community brought on by Derrion Albert's death.
"Stop the Violence: Town Hall Meeting" is an open discussion panel aimed to increase the awareness of violence in Illinois as part of African American Heritage Month. The panel will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the Coleman Lecture Hall.
Collins said the African American Heritage Month Planning Committee wants to do more than just talk about the problem.
Yolanda Williams, an adviser for Minority Affairs and a panelist, said students should gain a sense of responsibility from this panel.
Williams said in regards to teen violence ideas of prevention should stem from the discussion held.
"It is important to discuss this among college students because they are the next generation to enter such a violent society," she said.
Williams said college students need to create a better solution in dealing with a volatile situation.
"A better solution is imperative to our survival," she said.
Willie Morris, a graduate English student and panelist, said he is determined to gain perspectives from Eastern's faculty, staff and students about violence.
Morris said he has dealt with violence his whole life.
"Violence has always been in my area," Morris said.
Morris said growing up in Roseland exposed him to frequent violence as a child and as an adult.
"I am familiar with the kind of helplessness that violence inflicts upon you when it comes to your home," he said.
He said the death of Albert was another tragedy that took place across the street from his home.
"There are many cases of deaths and shootings that don't get publicized like Albert's did," he said.
Morris said many people know about stories connected to violence and the pain that comes from violence.
Morris said the panel was created to address the issue of violence in small and large communities in the state of Illinois.
He wants people to understand the issues of violence that affects different communities.
"We should discuss these issues on this campus because violence is something that happens everywhere," he said.
Morris said this panel is important because a large amount of violence happens in communities of color.
"It is important that we be honest, discuss and find ways to help," Morris said.
Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7492 or bmgarcia@eiu.edu.
Janice Collins, an assistant professor of journalism and moderator of an upcoming panel, said the proposal for this idea came from the concerns about violence in the African American community brought on by Derrion Albert's death.
"Stop the Violence: Town Hall Meeting" is an open discussion panel aimed to increase the awareness of violence in Illinois as part of African American Heritage Month. The panel will be at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 in the Coleman Lecture Hall.
Collins said the African American Heritage Month Planning Committee wants to do more than just talk about the problem.
Yolanda Williams, an adviser for Minority Affairs and a panelist, said students should gain a sense of responsibility from this panel.
Williams said in regards to teen violence ideas of prevention should stem from the discussion held.
"It is important to discuss this among college students because they are the next generation to enter such a violent society," she said.
Williams said college students need to create a better solution in dealing with a volatile situation.
"A better solution is imperative to our survival," she said.
Willie Morris, a graduate English student and panelist, said he is determined to gain perspectives from Eastern's faculty, staff and students about violence.
Morris said he has dealt with violence his whole life.
"Violence has always been in my area," Morris said.
Morris said growing up in Roseland exposed him to frequent violence as a child and as an adult.
"I am familiar with the kind of helplessness that violence inflicts upon you when it comes to your home," he said.
He said the death of Albert was another tragedy that took place across the street from his home.
"There are many cases of deaths and shootings that don't get publicized like Albert's did," he said.
Morris said many people know about stories connected to violence and the pain that comes from violence.
Morris said the panel was created to address the issue of violence in small and large communities in the state of Illinois.
He wants people to understand the issues of violence that affects different communities.
"We should discuss these issues on this campus because violence is something that happens everywhere," he said.
Morris said this panel is important because a large amount of violence happens in communities of color.
"It is important that we be honest, discuss and find ways to help," Morris said.
Brittni Garcia can be reached at 581-7492 or bmgarcia@eiu.edu.
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