Dialogue needed for racial reconciliation
Ware is the president of the Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis. He is also a nationally recognized author who recently co-authored a book titled "Darwin’s Plantation."
Ware addressed the issue of diversity here at Franklin. He said there is more diversity on Franklin’s campus now than there was when he was in college, but that there were things that the Franklin College community could do to bring more even more diversity.
"Heaven is a place, God is a person and if you build a relationship with him, you can build relationships with others." Ware said.
Racial slurs are still being used and that is why Ware is committed to building relationships.
"I wish we were in a state when people didn’t use racial names, but we’re not," Ware said.
Ware said he wants students to get to know other students at Franklin because it will create an environment of safety.
"Ask minority students here if they feel safe." Ware said. "Do they feel like you got their back if they were called a racial name?"
Bringing minorities and majorities together is what Ware wants to work towards the most to achieve racial reconciliation. His work is about the solutions to racial reconciliation and not about the actual problem.
Ware said he believes that Franklin could have a more diverse campus if it could create an environment that makes minorities feel safe.
When he was president of Student Congress his senior year, Ware had a professor who told him that his people needed him. And from that moment on, he said he felt that it was his duty to lead others and let people know about the problems that come with racial discrimination.
Ware asked the audience, "Here at Franklin, what can be done?"
He continued by saying, "Create an environment sensitive to those of different racial backgrounds."
Emily Norcross, a senior and member of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, said she felt that Ware would help to make Franklin College a more diverse campus.
Norcross said, "We aren’t very diverse here at Franklin. We are trying to address this issue because this is a need we have."
The event was sponsored by the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, the Black Student Union and the Student Association in Support of Multi-Culturalism.
Before the lecture students and faculty members met with Ware for dinner and after the lecture Dining Services provided a dessert reception for the attendees.
