"Injustice for All" panel encourages students to fight for justice

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) hosted its second “Injustice for All” panel discussion “Injustice for All 2: I Too Am America” on Wednesday in the Goldstein Auditorium. The panel discussion focused on police systemic injustice in the criminal justice system.

Panelists Dr. Mary Frances Berry, Roslyn McCallister Brock, Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou and Jordan West discussed injustice and youth activism in the 21st century, sharing advice on how college students can actively create change in their communities.

The panelists discussed the need for leaders on the Syracuse University campus.

“We are not looking for allies. We are looking for freedom fighters,” Sekou, who founded the Interfaith Worker Justice Center in New Orleans, said.

Brock, chair of the national board of directors for the NAACP, expressed disappointment at seeing only 192 people in an auditorium that has a capacity for 600.

Justin Alvarez, moderator for the panel and member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, said that invitations had been distributed to all Greek organizations.

“Topics like these aren't of interest to some people because they don't think they affect them. They do, directly and indirectly.” Alvarez said.

Still, people who did attend the event, like community member Hayden Rahn, were empowered by the discussion.

“It’s interesting to come in and listen to people who have been doing this type of work for years.” Rahn said.

Sophomore Ritoceh Saingbe, who had participated in the student-organized “die-in” protest earlier in the afternoon, said that events like these promote dialogue at SU that can eventually create change.

“It was a forum that needed to bring insight on the campus,” Saingbe said. “I think the university can talk about race in a much more approachable manner.”