Today the African Student Association will be presenting an event titled “Speak to Your Brother” in the Coleman Auditorium at 7 p.m.

This is the third time in three years that the group is teaming up other groups around campus to create such an event.

“The past two events were well attended and created good, heated discussions,” said Chinenye Ezurike, a junior hospitality major and the ASA president.

She described the event as a way to discuss stereotypes.

“Basically it is a way to expose the positive and negative viewpoints posed to Africans and African Americans in society and on campus and how they affect campus and society as a whole,” Ezurike said. “Ultimately we are all brothers and sisters. We need to put aside or differences and come together as one.”

Micheal Loudon, the ASA advisor, said the goal of the event is to create a dialogue between the African American community on campus as well as the African community on campus.

“With this event we try to create and initiate a dialogue between the two groups, even if it just once a year,” Loudon said. “At past events we were astounded at the results, many people held these prejudices and didn’t even know it and it really does depend on how you grow up and are raised.”

Loudon said there will be six individual speakers at the event from the ASA, the Black Student Union and other groups.

Ezurike said this is ASA’s “kick off” event for the spring semester.

“We’re trying to open the door and raise awareness around campus that ASA is here and ready to get involved.” Ezurike said.

She also mentioned they have a movie night planned for the end of February.

Ezurike is hoping for a good turnout for Thursday’s event but says it depends on the weather.

“I know a lot of professors mentioned it to their classes and are planning on coming. Also, a lot of people accepted the Facebook invitation and wrote on the event page’s wall; as long as we have school the event will go on as scheduled.” Ezurike said.

Amy Wywialowski can be reached at 581-2812 or alwywialowski@eiu.edu.