Discussion group embraces women of color

Only one member showed up for last week’s Multicultural Student Affairs Women of Color Discussion Group.

“This is not a therapy session. That’s the most important thing,” said Beverly Walker, assistant director of the multicultural student affairs office. “This is a discussion group where we talk about whatever we want to talk about.”

The group has addressed numerous topics this semester including the PETA controversy, the university step show, abortion protest, racial issues, politics and current events.

During one of the first sessions, Walker said, the freshmen women shared their experiences and views about college life.

“Some of the seasoned students, juniors and seniors, offered some very good advice on what to be aware of in terms of how to make (the first-year women’s) college experience better,” she said.

Walker pointed out that the group is not only for African-Americans, but for other minorities as well.

The one student who attended complimented the discussion group for addressing her needs.

“They’ve given me helpful advice on dealing with issues concerning relationships,” she said, adding that she continues to come back because she enjoys spending time listening to the other women. “I like to hear what other people have to say about VCU, and I like to meet new people. It’s fun.”

Joy Harden, a psychology intern for University Counseling Services, co-facilitates the group discussions. Harden said the group also discussed campus safety, Internet safety, ways to handle gossip, develop friendships and dormitory drama.

“That was a hot topic,” Harden said, referring to the discussion about the residence halls. “We also talked about light-skinned, dark-skinned color issue,” Harden said. But contrary to what some may believe, she said this issue occurs in races besides the African-American culture.

“One of the Filipino students talked about how it was perceived in her culture also,” Harden said, “light-skinned is perceived to be more beautiful than dark-skinned.”

At the latest meeting, Walker said the group discussed conflict management and how to deal with it. The group took tips from “The 5 Thomas-Kilman Conflict Handling Modes.”

The discussions usually last for an hour, but Walker said they may last longer depending on the topic.

“It’s good to hear how different women are coping with other things like study skills and time management,” Harden said, explaining how the discussion group benefits the women. “(It’s) a good opportunity to hear varying opinions on the topics that are affecting young women today.”