ASU works to unite different groups in 'bridging' gathering

Discussing racial equality, participants felt positive vibes during the ASU event, "Bridging the Gap: Between Latinos and African-Americans" on Sept. 17 in the Fireside Room.

Guest speaker Gerald Lenoir, the director from the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), said the purpose of the event was to "unify the community to promote social and economic justice for all.

"We are a small organization with a big agenda," he said.

Hosted by the ASU, the event's emphasis was placed on the struggle of racial discrimination that African-Americans and Latino immigrants share and how they are connected.

Jeanelle Hope, ASU president, said she began planning the event last year after hearing about the nonprofit organization.

BAJI was founded in April 2006 to engage people in open forums, open discussion and debate to introduce reform in the U.S. immigration system and eliminate racial inequalities.

The event turnout was successful, ASU Senator Nicholas Chin said.

"We ran out of chairs. They were all filled. Only standing room (was available)," Chin said.

Lenoir explained the reasoning behind the movement by providing insight into history. This was followed by open discussion where students and faculty were invited to voice their opinions.

"Often times, we as Americans are very ignorant as to what is happening in the world," Lenoir said.

Globalization of large corporations in the Third World, or countries that are economically unstable, Lenoir said, open up the market for American goods. Lower industries cannot compete and become obsolete, creating even further financial hardships.

"We often think immigrants want to leave their countries (in search of) the American dream. Sometimes they have no choice," he said.

African-Americans are feeling the pressure as employers are favoring hiring immigrants, Lenoir said. Their lack of legal documentation, he said, is thought of as a "lack of rights" that makes them easily exploitable.

"We're fighting each other for the crumbs on the table. Immigrants are not the ones taking our jobs," he said. "It is the employers.

"Black and brown (people) are at the bottom of the heap," Lenoir said. "It all comes down to how we talk to each other to resolve issues."

Contra Costa College student Tori Johnson said he learned a lot during the presentation.

"(Lenoir) enlightened you on a bunch of different things, like immigration. It was educational," Johnson said. "I enjoyed seeing that much support for a school event."

Some thought that the hour-long event, which went from 1 to 2 p.m., did not include enough time to talk about such a massive topic.

"It was just the beginning. We barely scratched the surface," community activist Janie Anker said.

Questions, such as what citizens can do to contribute to the solution, still need to be addressed, she said.

There will be another opportunity to do so in the future, however, Lenoir said.

"I would like to come back," he said. "It's important to follow up and hear peoples' issues and concerns."

Contact Holly Pablo at hpablo.advocate@gmail.com.