CAMPUS EVENTS
CSU Students plan on having ‘The Talk’ on campus in a large protest event Gabriella Castleberry and Victoria Buchanan unite to raise awareness on issues of racism in the world by hosting an event on campus.
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SU students Gabriella Castleberry and Victoria Buchanan are making plans to ensure that Columbus and the university campus continue the ongoing conversation on racial injustice and discrimination. Sophomore Digital Animation Major Gabriella Castleberry had the idea for an on-campus demonstration. Castleberry approached Senior History Major Victoria Buchanan with the idea because she knew that Buchanan would, “make time for whatever she needed to if it was meaningful.” Castleberry and Buchanan originally met during Panhellenic recruitment a semester ago. VICTORIA BUCHANAN
6 | The Saber | FALL 2020
Initially, Castleberry considered doing a march. However, she and Buchanan decided that a sit-in style event preceded by a march would suit their objectives better. The two students had many details to nail down before their projected protest date in September. They quickly reached out to the Dean of Students and made sure to get the event officially registered with CSU. The Talk, so named because it will be an opportunity for Black students and members of the community to speak and explain issues of race, is officially registered under the Black Student Alliance. The BSA was recently established and this fall will be its first semester on campus. Christian Haywood, BSA’s president, will be working with Castleberry and Buchanan to put on the event. Castleberry cited the Freedom of Expression Policy in the CSU Student Handbook as a part of their planning. The policy that ensures the rights of students to engage in freedom of expression activities in outdoor spaces so long as they do not interfere with the “other missions of the University.” Buchanan and Castleberry first heard about the policy during orientation where President Markwood explained the rights of students to have these kinds of peaceful demonstrations. “There’s no good time or place to have these conversations,” said
GABRIELLA CASTLEBERRY
“This isn’t just an event for Black people. White people need to attend as well; they need to learn and educate themselves."
ASHLEY PETERSON
