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Officers/Advisors Name: Dr. Susan Glisson Contact: web/e-mailPosition: Faculty Advisor Comments: I coordinated the only deep south public forum for the president's initiative on race in 1998. As part of that process, we had dialogue groups on different topics. I facilitated the student group, against the advice of my committee, which said that students were too apathetic to get nvolved. I decided to proceed and have been pleased to note that those assumptions were incorrect. Rather, there are students who care about justice and freedom and are willing to work to ensure that all enjoy those fundamental rights. The energy and commitment of the students here is what gets me out of bed in the morning.  Name: Hays Burchfield Contact: web/e-mailPosition: Co-Chief Organizer Comments: I first found out about SEED when I was writing a story for the DM about the Institute for Racial Reconciliation in the fall of 2000. SEED sounded like a great organization to get involved with because it worked to bring people of all races together to work on issues dealing with freedom, justice, and equality. I joined it as a freshman and started going to the meetings. I became more active in SEED during the campaign for a new flag for the state of Mississippi and... we went down to Jackson to talk to legislators, former Gov. William Winter, and other activists about ways to campaign and get the word out about the election for the new flag. A press conference was held on the front steps of the capitol, and I, as a representative of SEED, gave a short speech on why I thought Mississippi needed a new flag. SEED members also drove people to the polls on election day. Even though the new flag vote failed, we met people from across the state who care about many of the same things we do, and we still keep in touch to work together on different issues.  Name: Rima Chaddha Contact: web/e-mailPosition: Co-Chief Organizer, WebMistress -- Send complaints about the site to me! Comments: For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted to either join or start up a group like this. I found that a majority of my friends, especially when I was younger, seemed to have little interest--if any at all--in current events and issues that were important to me, and I was bothered by that. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."  Name: Diana Semmes Contact: web/e-mailPosition: Flyer Maker! Comments: Well, my friend Hays was working in the circle at the SEED table at the organizational fair back when school started. I happened to go along through there and stop to say hey. He began to tell me about the group, and it sounded like a worthwhile group to be a member of. I felt that by joining SEED, I might could make a difference, even if only in a small way. Members Name: Jon N. Benson Contact: web/e-mailPosition: SEED-ling Comments: I became interested in SEED first through the encouragement of Rima Chaddha, my dear friend and SEED-mate. After the first few dorm-dialogues I came to like the tension and the openess of ideas and views among the different members. I like hearing different views and stirring up arguments and proposing solutions, etc. It is my way of staying active in an ever-diverse society and increasing my knowlege of the world, not only in facts, but from the actual viewpoints of those people who must live here.  Name: Richard Glisson Contact: web/e-mailPosition: SEED-ling "since way back in the day (that makes me an o.g.) 1999." Comments: It is my firm conviction that racism and hate must be eradicated from the face of the planet. there is no room for bigotry, not here, not anywhere. SEED seeks to create spaces where important issues can be discussed in a safe environment, clearing the way to end racial prejudice and incorrect stereotypes. It has been my honor to be involved with a group of dedicated, talented individuals who give so freely of themselves to change the place they call home. GOD BLESS AFGHANISTAN. Rima's note: because of the current world situation, I think it would be best for me to elaborate on Richad's last statement. Members of the Taliban and al Qaida were the ones at fault for the September 11 attacks, not the innocent people of Afghanistan. Name: Que Chung Contact: web/e-mailPosition: SEED-ling Comments: I joined to SEED to learn more about violence and help prevent it. Although I have not contributed much, I have learned much more than I origninally thought I would. Name: Tanaya Johnson Contact: web/e-mailPosition: SEED-ling, former Co-Chief Organizer Comments: SEED has opened a whole new world for me. SEED makes me look at things in a different way such as politics and our government. (Note: without Tanaya's help as Co-Chief Organizer through Spring 2002, SEED would not be where it is today.) Name: Jariat Oyetunji Contact: web/e-mailPosition: SEED-ling Comments: I was invited to join SEED a year ago by my buddy, Hays. After attending the first meeting, I discovered that it wasn't like other organizations. SEED always makes a difference in its ways of promoting peace and unity among people of different backgrounds. I am proud to be a member of this unique organization. ;) © 1999-2003 -- SEED (Students Envisioning Equality through Diversity) |
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