A Campus Conversation on the Ferguson decision was held in the Lakeside meeting rooms Monday night.
The Elon community was encouraged to share their thoughts on the events happening in Missouri. The conversation was hosted by the Center for Race, Ethnicity, & Diversity Education and Council on Civic Engagement.
Randy Williams, Dean of Multicultural Affairs, opened the discussion on the events in Ferguson, saying "one thing that became very clear to me was that people have a strong reaction to this, one way or the other," in reference to the grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson.
The big question of the evening was "Where do we go from here?"
Students and staff sat around tables discussing possible ways to enact change, writing their thoughts down on sheets of paper with markers.
The first half of the discussion centered around participants' current feelings and understandings of the events in Ferguson, while the second half focused on what participants thought should be done in the future.
Discussions questions included were, "What are your reactions to the decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown?" and "How do we constructively move forward as a culture, as policy actors and as members of a diverse society?"
The event served as a platform for conversation and reflection, where Williams wanted members of the Elon community "flourish and grow."
"We want this to be a safe space," Williams said.
Elon senior Chevonne Sewer, who attended Monday's discussion, believes it is important for Elon students to have these open conversations.
"Any social justice issue should be discussed, not swept under the rug, "she said.
At the end of the Campus Conversation, Williams encouraged the students and faculty members to think about how they can continue to engage in these types of discussions.
"The conversation doesn't end here," Williams said in his closing remarks.