Interactive workshop focuses on social discourse

Rappers and congressmen are not typically associated with each other, but Kanye West and Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., have changed that in breaking civil discourse.

The Commission on Multicultural Understanding will sponsor a workshop examining civil dialogue on campus called “What Did You Say?!”

The event will occur  from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday in State Room East in the Indiana Memorial Union.

The workshop was inspired by events such as Kanye West’s outburst at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards and Congressman Joe Wilson calling President Obama a liar during a presidential address.

“The event is the result of the two committees within COMU, Training and Teachable Moments,” said graduate assistant of COMU Nadrea Njoku.

Members from each committee will moderate the program.

“We can’t even communicate without demonizing each other anymore,” said co-convener of the training committee Eric Love.

The Training Committee realized issues of uncivil discourse were just as present on campus as elsewhere.

“I expect a lot of students who are interested in the topic who have noticed something needs to change,” Love said. “I’m certainly not the only social critic that’s seen a need for this.”

The workshop aims to be interactive, with participants having the opportunity to practice civil dialogue. Featured will be video clips, methods of how to engage in civil dialogue and how to properly disarm people who are being disrespectful.

“This is not only a serious issue in the public eye but in everyday life,” Njoku said.
The workshop’s organizers have already received a positive response to the posting.

“Several people asked if we would be doing it again already, so I imagine if there’s a high demand we will do it again in the near future,” Love said.