Fueling the discussion on diversity and identity expression, on Wednesday night, around 15 students gathered in Witherspoon for the Stop the Hate Diversity Dialogue . The discussion was regarding identity expression on campus and within communities.
Sponsored by the GLBT Center and part of its Diversity Education Week, Al and Keith Toney, diversity consultants, were brought to lead the dialogue .
“They do a lot of work on hate and trying to educate people about hate, what that is and how to make communities more positive. As two gay men, they have certainly experienced a lot of hate in their life,” Justine Hollingshead , director of the GLBT Center, said.
The questions centered around events on campus, such as comments made in the Free Expression Tunnel and the vandalism at the GLBT Center.
“Obviously the hate incident that happened targeting the GLBT Center in October has sparked lots of conversation and discussion about hate, hate speech versus free speech and what is that… we wanted to find something that made sure that we were continuing that conversation and that dialogue ,” Hollingshead said.
Al Toney spoke out about taking a precautionary stance, rather than a reactionary one.
“When people usually talk about these issues, so if a corporation or a school is talking about, let’s say, gay and lesbian issues, and it comes to the forefront, it’s usually because something happens and they have to address it,” Al said. “What we try to do is get people to think proactively, to bring up these issues, have these discussions. So when something does happen, it’s not a reactionary piece. People already have the education and tools to address it appropriately.”
The discussion began with the speakers giving their background of hate and discrimination. As a gay, interracial married couple, the Toney’s have had many challenges along the way that lead them to becoming speakers against hate.
Keith came from a long line of jobs where he was uncomfortable revealing his orientation and ostracized when he did. Al was the first openly gay police officer and was ignored by many of his fellow officers.
“21 years ago, I got shot in the line of duty and was forced to retire, so I had to change my career… I started volunteering, started turning to speaking engagements and workshops, and a business just flourished over the years,” Al said. “So now we speak on all sorts of issues, whether it be race, sexual orientation, communication, conflict resolution… just a whole host of work that we do to try to dispel hateful stereotypes, to try to include more people.”
Adam Ward, graduate student in comparative biomedical sciences, was present at the talk.
“I enjoyed hearing their stories. It makes everything more personal, but it gives you an idea of what their background is, why they’re doing what they’re doing. You can relate to it, and it makes more powerful everything they say,” Ward said.
Students were asked to speak with those sitting next to them and come up with three identities they attribute to themselves and how these identities change the way they express themselves on campus. There was also discussion on how safe students felt when expressing these identities and what might be changed at N.C . State to make people feel safer and more comfortable.
“So often we just go through the day… I’m gay, and that’s it, but you don’t really think of, well, is it okay? Do you feel safe? I don’t really ask myself that when I’m walking around campus,” Caitlin Cohn, senior in English, said.
While students who attended may not have learned anything new, they agreed that the discussion was a positive and enriching event.
“I think it’s important to meet people who have been so public about their stories and shared their experiences. Just to have role models that are willing to talk to people and travel and share their message,” Cohn said.
“I think it just brought to mind or reinforced the need to consider people with intersecting or multiple identities that maybe one or many are oppressed and how to support those individuals. It just reminded me that certain groups are discriminated against, but we all need to come together for various social justice causes… as people and to let others know that that’s not okay,” Ward said.
