Romance panel helps men to face relationship woes

Yarcenia Garcia

Many men face relationship trouble from time to time and may not take the initiative to seek assistance that supports their issues. In turn, these issues have the potential to go unresolved and can present problems when it comes to developing intimate relationships.

On Nov. 19 in the Summit Room in the University Union at 7 p.m., the Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program presents men’s panel “Heart II Heart” to confront psychological and social issues men face in relationships.

Twenty-two year old senior and public relations major, Othelia Marwieh, has been involved with Cooper Woodson for the past three years and believes the panel will be memorable.

“It is important for students to attend, because the discussion will be based on challenges men face when it comes to relationships with women and men, sexual prerogatives as well as self-identity in this society,” Marwieh said. “In addition, women will be given a chance to ask men any questions they are curious about. This event benefits students because it gives the opportunity for men and women to openly express their true feelings.”

The Cooper-Woodson College Enhancement Program, established in 1990 by Otis Scott, Chris Glen and David Covin, upholds a mission of tradition and unity among African-American scholars by maintaining relationships with faculty, students, staff and community members.

“Part of what the program does is encourage our scholars to take on leadership skills.” said Anne Thomas, administrative support coordinator for ethnic studies. “They learn about organizing to accomplish that goal.”

Students are given the opportunity to put these leadership skills to the test by organizing two or three events per semester, which are then decided upon by the committee members. The committee members take turns deciding what events to put on.

This semester, 23-year-old business major Kolawole Anderson felt like men’s relationships in society are seldom discussed in an honest and constructive level on campus. This particular panel has been in the planning stages for three months.

“We believe that this event impacts our campus drastically,” Anderson said. ”Males in our society, no matter what ethnic background, are as important as everyone else. If we don’t at the very least attempt to understand the male psyche, then being progressive in our society will be futile.”

Although this panel is open to all students at Sac State, Anderson said it is especially helpful for African-American men facing psychological and social issues in regards to relationships.

The event will be interactive for the audience emcees, and panel members themselves. Attendees will be given black and red heart shaped cards upon entering. When panelists begin to answer questions, the audience will be given a chance to signify what affect the panelist had.

The raising of the red heart signifies people understand what the panelist is conveying. The raising of a black heart signifies there is a lack of understanding or the answer is sugar-coated to sound more appealing.

If a black heart is raised, panelists will be given the chance to elaborate in order to be validated. If this occurs three times, the panelist is docked and will be replaced with a new speaker.

“The point of this is to keep the dialogue real from panelists and not a sugar-coated committee,” Anderson said.

Anderson hopes to the panel will deconstruct the socialization and ideas of what it means to be men.

“This will benefit students, both male and female,” Anderson said. “We are having a ‘Heart II Heart’ with men and women and communities alike in order to get a pulse on what is most important.”

Briana Swain can be reached at [email protected]