The issue of racism will be addressed from the perspective of whites during a forum on white racism.

The forum, which will be held Sunday at 4:30 p.m., is a part of the awareness week and will focus on how whites view themselves in relation to other races and ethnic groups.

“We will look at our own attitudes and what effect they have on other cultures,” Wesley Foundaion Director Dave Schmidt said.

Schmidt, who will be leading the discussion, said a lack of self-understanding is a major problem.

“We will examine the cause of racism and how we can address that within ourselves,” he said. The forum will not deal with solving the problem of racism but with addressing it.

The problem occurs when a person views himself better than others, said Schmidt.

“We are raised with certain views and I don’t think we can completely eliminate racism unless we’ve lived as a minority in another culture,” said Schmidt.

Communications major Jacques Betts said he thinks the forum is a good idea as a part of the awareness week. “It has to be applied with other forms of examining the issue, though.”

e said the entire week is a good idea to inform people of the problem of racism.

Shawn Tate, Kappa Alpha Psi member, said he thinks the week will unite those who are positive but others will not pay any attention. “A lot of people have already made up their minds,” he said.

Tate also said the forum will not be beneficial unless all races are represented, because all races have prejudices.

Schmidt said he decided to run the discussion because he has worked with other organizations dealing with racism and he feels there is a problem with white racism.

The 90-minute discussion will take place at the Wesley Foundation, 633 W. Locust St.