Town Hall meeting brings leaders together to discuss black awareness, raise conscious

Following the student led march on Wednesday, student leaders from Southern University met with several prominent members of the Baton Rouge area to discuss what it means to be black, and raise the conscious level of the Jaguar Nation.
The Community Town Hall Meeting was Phase II in an effort from the student leaders of Southern, who united to bring public awareness about the problems surrounding the SU community to the forefront.
The meetings panel included SUBR Chancellor Edward Jackson, Cedric Richmond, president of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, Jason Hughes, legislative coordinator for Gov. Kathleen Blanco, Kwame Ashanti, state director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, attorney Durinda Robinson of the Flower Lovers’ Garden and Louis Ali, president of the Millions More Movement.
Student Government President, and forum moderator, Niiobli Armah began the meeting’s discussion by challenging panelists, and students in attendance, to answer the question: What is the state of black America, in particular, black collegiate America?
“Black is color, consciousness and a connection with the creator,” said Ali. “Unless you have a connection with your creator, you are not black, you are neutral.”
Ashanti said black America is in danger, and in crisis.
“The danger is that we don’t do anything,” Ashanti said. “Most of the time, these acts of violence we are experiencing is perpetrated by our own kind.”
“If we sit and do nothing, we will be in danger of another crisis,” he said.