Series can help community
cope
 By
Kurt Esposito
Assistant Campus Editor
To give the community a way to cope with the Sept.
11 terrorist attacks, Purdue is holding a biweekly conversation series.
Dorothy Simpson-Taylor, director of the Diversity
Resource Office, said the series, whose topics range from the media
coverage of the attacks to the effect on the economy, will give people
the chance to discuss the events as they still grieve.
"We are extraordinary people facing extraordinary
times and we can do some extraordinary thing to help each other," she
said.
She said each discussion topic was chosen because
it seems to be one that everyone in the world is discussing or responding
to.
Each conversation will be moderated by an expert
on its topic.
The first conversation — "Perspectives of
Muslim and Near-East Community on Our Recent Tragedy" — is scheduled
for 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday in Stewart Center Room 206.
Simpson-Taylor said she is hoping the Purdue community
will understand that Muslims have different ethnicities, faiths and
perspectives.
Aida Ahmad, president of the Muslim Discussion
Group, said the organization wants to show everyone that Muslims are
not terrorists. "We just want to show that Muslims all over the world
are condemning this act and we never support terrorism," she said.
She said they will also be showing their support
for the United States during these times.
Simpson-Taylor said she is hoping people will understand
the Islamic faith and the contributions Muslims have made to this country.
The following is a list of the dates and topics
of the upcoming conversations.
• Oct. 9: media coverage
• Oct. 23: civil liberties
• Nov. 6: the economy
• Nov. 20: ways to combat hate
• Dec. 4: culture and stress
• Dec. 18: seasonal observances
Except for the discussion Wednesday, all discussions
will be from noon to 1p.m. in Potter Engineering Center Room 118.
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