A panel of leaders from six campus groups spoke about racism and oppression at a mass meeting Tuesday night to more than 150 audience members.

The six groups, the Black Student Union, Feminist Front, BROTHERS, Freedom Now, Organization of Latin American Students and Marxist Humanist Thought, met in the Holmes Student Center’s Regency Room and expressed different views of oppression.

SA Supreme Court Justice and Former BSU President Pamela Bozeman told the audience to make a decision about commitments to stop racism. “Make an informed decision,” she said. “Make a concerned decision. Make a fair decision. Most importantly, make a damn decision.”

Bozeman said fear only multiplies racism and prejudice. “We are in desperate need of a solution,” she said. If there are any more racial incidents, there will be large outbreaks of violence,” she said.

Audience member Juan Nunez objected to how several campus groups organized the meeting. “I do back you people, but I don’t back this coalition,” he said. He later explained he supports the efforts of the BSU, but does not approve of its involvement with Freedom Now.

BSU Second Vice President Otis Moore noted five steps to follow after an attack: recording information about the event, contacting someone the victim trusts, calling the police, the NIU Discrimination Hotline, the BSU and the Student Association Minority Affairs Committee.

Freedom Now member Tom Ellett said he has argued with other whites about whether the Oct. 14 attack, when three white males attacked a black student, was racially motivated.

He compared historical events to the attack, and said although the incident did not seem racist to whites, oppressed groups “knew it was racist. Most white people will only admit that racism is a slur or a cross-burning.”

Another audience member objected to factions within the campus. He said campus groups which are of predominantly one race perpetuate labels and prevent unity. Panel members agreed unity was a goal to work for, but groups must organize themselves first.

BSU President Chris O’Banner said the BSU wants to initiate five goals this semester. These included better communication with NIU and DeKalb officials, prompt reactions and solutions to racial incidents, an escort service to transport people safely at night, a patrol of the campus and the development of a 24-hour discrimination hotline.

OLAS Secretary Robert Cordero said “racial discrimination on campus seems to be a black and white issue.” He added that Hispanics, Orientals, handicapped people and other minority groups also are targets of discrimination.