Here at NIU, it is often difficult to analyze and have productive debates over issues that are of vital importance to society.

On Tuesday, Minister Louis Farakhan, an outspoken individual, came to our campus. With all of the controversy surrounding his visit, the question should be asked, what has been the consequence of such a media hyped event?

We feel that after having witnessed Minister Farrakhan’s speech and the events leading up to it, this whole situation has provided students with a public forum to formulate and exchange a diversity of opinions.

Each person that attended the speech ultimately left with his/her own interpretation of Minister Farrakhan’s message. These interpretations will only be topics of future discussions and debates.

However, just the opportunity to see Minister Farrkhan’s emotionally charged presentation and his effects on the audience was an education in itself. And this entire episode also demonstrated how far we have yet to go in regards to race relations.

It is through such events that we can be exposed to differences of opinion. Furthermore, it is only by knowing what other people espouse that we can truly understand our own beliefs. As Charles Bradlaugh (1833-1891) stated, “Without free speech, no search for truth is possible.”

Sadia Ahmed

Junior

Political Science/Pre-Law

obert McCormack

Sophomore

History

Foria Younis

Senior

Political Science/Public Law