BEEP ‘Speaks Up’ about Obama

The Black Executive Exchange Program (BEEP) hosted a panel discussion entitled “Speak Up and Stand Out” on Tuesday in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union’s Lakefront Room. The discussion focused mainly on topics that were centered on Obama’s win and what it could mean to black students and blacks as a race.
“I took from this discussion not only pride, but a sense of responsibility,” said Tiffany Pounds, a senior marketing major from New Orleans.
“Now, since the first African American president has been elected, the excuses that we as African Americans have used in the past are null and void.”
Pounds, as well as other Southern students, got to voice their opinions on different subjects such as what is expected from President-elect Obama in the future and what is expected from the black community.
“The fact that history was made with the presidential election should not influence ‘stupidity’ or ‘ignorance’ of any race, color, or national origin especially in the black community,” said Travis Richard, a mass communications major from Opelousas.
There was a heated discussion about what Obama’s message is to black fathers, men and women and mothers.
The BEEP organization’s goal was to give students the opportunity to voice their opinions and get the answers to their questions answered.
“We wanted all students of all majors to come and be a part of this discussion,” said BEEP president Chayla Daniels, who is a senior marketing major from California.
The discussion was also held to attract more students into joining the organization. Some of the students that attended the open discussion were there to get a better look at what the organization represented.
“I was thinking about joining BEEP and I came to the discussion to find out more about it and what it’s about,” said Cedric Clarke, a sophomore business management major from Westmont, Ill.
Some of the people that went to the program learned some valuable information about the black community and what they should do in the future. Students said that they will try to do better in school because Obama has inspired them to stay focused on their dreams.
“I enjoyed hearing other peoples’ viewpoints of Obama winning the election,” said Michelle Alexander, a freshman political science major from Baton Rouge.
“There were some interesting points that were made.”
BEEP’s ultimate goal was to leave Southern students with a positive mentality. The discussion provoked students, and everyone got a chance to voice their opinion if they chose to do so.
“The bar has been raised and it is now my responsibility to walk through the door that has been opened because of Obama,” said Pounds.