Students and faculty sat in the common area of the student center at Millsaps College on Tuesday as student activist Maise Brown spoke on her work. The event was organized to observe the National Day of Racial Healing, and Brown discussed steps that can be taken to achieve racial healing in the state. She says that reconciliation can only be possible if people have tough conversations about race and are honest with themselves about racist beliefs.
"We have to be truthful with ourselves," she said. "Sometimes we can't use the politically terms... you can't help being white, just like I can't help being black. We have to be honest."
Brittany Wilson, who interviewed Brown for the event, is a junior and the president of the Black Girl Projects organization on campus. She says her age group is in a prime position to lead the way on racial healing.
"Our age group is not only the most influential, but also the most influenced," she said. "If we can influence ourselves to be better... we can provide some phenomenal change."
Both Brown and Wilson agree that reconciliation requires being blunt when harmful actions are taking place instead of quote "talking around" the issue. Isabella Suell is a senior, and she says racial healing to her means being an ally and listening ear to oppressed people.
"Just listening," she said. "Just take [things] in... listen to what they're saying."
The event was one of three held in Mississippi observing the Day of Racial Healing.
