Delaware Tech talks diversity with TED Talk Tuesday
Delaware Technical Community College is a place of higher education for any member of the community. From Nov. 13 to Nov. 17, Owens Campus held its Diversity Week, celebrating the diversity of students and promoting understanding of all cultures and people. November 14, was TED Talk Tuesday, where the campus screened a series of TED talk videos from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in theater of the Arts and Sciences Center.
Safi Furlow, an electrical engineer student, volunteered for the event. He stood outside the theater telling people about the TED talks, Diversity Week, and explaining exactly how important diversity awareness is. He was also handing out free pizza slices as part of the event, to anyone who attended.
“Diversity Week promotes accepting of all cultures, these TED Talks speaks specifically about different problems faced by different types of minority groups. It helps people be aware of problems and teaches people to be less uptight. Diversity is extremely important,” said Furlow.
Furlow said there were four TED Talks shown throughout the day. Each focused upon a different area of diversity and understanding. Some of the topics discussed included prejudice against minorities and the LGBTQ+ community, said Furlow.
One of the TED talks was presented by Dalia Mogahed, a Muslim woman born in Egypt, now an American scholar. In her talk, she discusses prejudice placed upon individuals of Islamic faith in America. She also stated that the scrutiny placed over the Muslim community does nothing but promote more radical violence, and to make the world a safer place, all people must be open to other’s religions.
“When we are afraid, we become more accepting of authoritarianism, conformity, and prejudice…Islamophobia can be a tool of public manipulation, eroding the foundation of a free society, which is rational and well informed citizens,” Mogahed said.
The other talks stuck similar tones, discussing not only how different prejudices affected groups of minorities, but how they negatively affect society as a whole.
Gage Reed, a business student at Delaware Tech, attended the event, watching the TED Talk “This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around the World,” presented by Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols.
“Admittedly I came for the free pizza, but the talk was pretty interesting and informative. The Diversity Week in general is a pretty cool concept, I think it’s important to be open to everyone,” Reed said.
TED Talk Tuesday was just one event in a week of celebrating diversity. Other events included an international photo contest and a diversity and inclusion conference. Though the focus of the week was acceptance, Delaware Tech constantly has events promoting diversity and inclusion, future events can be found on the activities calendar.
Outside of the ASC theater during TED Talk Tuesday, was the diversity pledge poster. Students and staff alike signed the poster pledging to be accepting of all people. Those who signed the poster were rewarded with a lollipop. Photo by W. Voges