Students filled a classroom to its capacity in the Whitinger Business Building to attend a community diversity forum Wednesday evening.
The forum, hosted by Phi Beta Sigma and Sigma Chi fraternities, was a discussion on race and diversity issues that affect the Ball State community. Students were able to touch on issues including possible stressors and barriers, representation in a minority setting, segregation and interracial relationships.
Sigma Chi member Tony Pesha said he gained a positive outlook and was able to understand more about minorities and some of the stereotypes as a result of the discussion.
"A lot of people got closer together," Pesha said. "I got a taste of how others felt about a few issues."
Freshman Erykah Greene said the event was a success because of the low level of bias.
"There was more interaction because we weren't the only race there," she said. "Other races were represented."
The forum was a follow-up to a previous meeting hosted by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity last semester, which had a predominantly black audience. Phi Beta Sigma president Irving Washington met with Sigma Chi members and decided to give it another try.
Washington said he was pleased with the results in comparison to the previous forum.
"After our first one, I didn't think too much was going to come from it," Washington said. "To see tonight's program lets me know students are willing to work together and do different things."
As different issues were discussed, the students were able to interact with each other and ask and answer questions about diversity and stereotypes. The topic of the word "nigger" became a heated issue during the forum, and senior Tia Stanford said it upsets her when African Americans use the word.
"It kills me how they can use it with each other so comfortably, but when someone of another race uses it, it becomes offensive," Stanford said. "Sometimes I feel like my race can show ignorance (when) they act what the stereotype is, and it angers me."
Freshman Mario Leslie said, "If we go throwing (the word) around, how can we expect others to respect us?"
Phi Beta Sigma member Aric Lewis said that while the forum is a good start toward making a change, it is not the only form students can use.
"Everyone knows how to say the right things," Lewis said. "It's about doing the right things."
Stanford said the forum was a stepping stone for students of all races to have more interaction with each other and create better communication.
"Not only does it open your ears to listen, it opens your eyes to see what surrounds you and what you can do to bring about change," she said.
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