Diversity panel discusses candidates

Six panelists discussing diversity in politics Wednesday night gave their support to Vice President Al Gore. The other two gave their support to Green party candidate Ralph Nader. They all expressed their discomfort with Gov. George W. Bush. \nThe Everest Organization, a new student-run group, brought together the eight panelists for a presidential election diversity symposium. The panel included representatives from Latinos Unidos, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services, Asian American Student Association, Hillel Center, Committee for Peace in the Middle East and IU Campus Greens. The event, held in the Whittenberger Auditorium, attracted about 20 people.\nLaw Professor Kevin Brown facilitated the event. He said this year's election will be one of the closest in recent history. He asked the panel what issues are important to the minority groups the Republicans and Democrats are courting.\n"(This panel is comprised of) a number of people who will clarify what this election means to their constituents," he said.\nSix out of the eight panelists said they supported Al Gore for president. The other two panelists supported Ralph Nader.\n"As a feminist, as a lesbian, as a former union organizer, I don't like any of the candidates," said Helen Harrell, faculty adviser for OUT, IU's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender student union. "If I thought Nader had a chance I would vote for him. I will vote for Gore because Bush is the least desirable candidate."\nThe panelists said Bush was far from anyone's ideal. \n"I personally would want to get out of this country (if Bush became president)," said Julie Thomas, a visiting lecturer in the gender studies department.\n"I just can't imagine what would happen," said Meisha Walker, a sophomore and programming chair for the Black Student Union. \nRabbi Sue Shifron, director of the Hillel Center said, "It would scare me to have Bush in the White House. Gore is the better alternative."\nBrown asked the panelists questions that covered many of the important issues in the election. He covered issues from religion and affirmative action to military funding and international affairs.\nThe panelists said they were frustrated at the way religion is often associated with politics.\n"Religion actually divides a population rather than bringing it together," Harrell said. "There has always been a freedom for religion in this country, not necessarily a freedom of religion."\nShifron said a state holiday called Jesus Day was created in Texas during Bush's time as governor. \n"I think (the holiday) is offensive not only to non-Christian groups but to Christians as well, mostly because it trivializes their religion," she said.\nOther issues were discussed including the appointment of Supreme Court justices. This year's presidential election is especially important, the panelists said, because of the influence the president will have on the appointment of new justices. \nSamson Chan, chair of the Asian Student Union, said it was important to realize the next president could appoint three to five justices. \n"Who is appointed will affect affirmative action, racial profiling and other Supreme Court issues," he said.\n Panelists said they were unhappy with the idea of education under the Bush administration. Thomas discussed Bush's support of a school voucher system and said he disliked the idea that with school vouchers anyone could open a school and get public funds.\n "The most important thing is that you find out about the candidates, do your own research, ask your own questions, find your own answers," Chan said.\nPhil Metres, a graduate student representing the Committee for Peace in the Middle East, wrapped up the night with a call to action. \n"I thought politics was boring when I was younger, but I have come to think differently," he said. "To make yourself into a political animal is a beautiful thing"