An unexpected analogy comparing dating to Forrest Gump’sbox of chocolates interjected some laughter into an enlightenedconversation last night in the Hughes-Trigg Commons.

Black Men Emerging, also known as B-ME, hosted its first LateNight Chat in which people were invited to engage in a wide varietyof discussion topics.

More than 60 people lined the couches and floor of the commonsarea. Senior theater major Cornelius Smith and junior marketingmajor Byron Sanders served as moderators of a talk that coveredtopics including, but not limited to, commitment in relationships,interracial dating and the advancement of women in society.

Despite the recent issue of affirmative action and acontroversial demonstration by the Young Conservatives of Texas,the Late Night Chat steered surprisingly clear of the recent campusdebate. The event was paused briefly while attendees watched a newsbroadcast of the situation that has transpired of late.

“I was a little disappointed that it didn’t come up,but maybe that says something,” said sophomore Matt Houston,who was featured in the WFAA piece. “There still needs to beanother episode like this that addresses issues likediversity.”

Smith opened the discussion with a blanket statement in aneffort to initiate debate. African-American college women, as Smithstated but made clear he did not necessarily believe, are focusedon “locking a man down” for marriage. Hands immediatelywent up to refute the extreme representation of a societalmindset.

After the initial barrage, students settled into a conversationthat benefited everyone who attended.

“It was informative,” senior Traci Jones said.”It was good to see a lot of first-years, and I think weshould do this more often. It’s good to meet new people andsee how they think.”

While the event was attended by mostly African-American andblack students, it was an open discussion in which members of B-MEhoped others would take part.

“It’s rare that we have this many African-Americanscome together to talk about things, and this is beautiful,”Smith said in his closing remarks. Sanders made it a point toinvite others out to future discussions like Wednesdaynight’s.

The crowd that was there covered a wide variety of socialexperiences, ethnicities and ages. First-year Aaron Anderson got alot out of his participation.

“It was very informative and it opened eyes and let youknow that the black community really thinks seriously about issuesthat affect everyone,” Anderson said.

Smith and Sanders were pleasantly surprised by the number ofpeople who turned out on rather short notice.

“The turnout was simply more than expected,” Smithsaid. “I was truly pleased with the number of females andmales. To get that many people out here on short notice says a lotabout our student body and I hope it continues in thefuture.”

Many people vocalized their opinions – some more thanothers – in an effort to understand the logic behind dating,both interracial and within the black community, and the causebehind black women making further progress in society than blackmales. While no consensus was reached, those who attended left withmore viewpoints than they arrived with.

“The whole point was to get us to take a deeper look atourselves and what we stand for,” Smith said, “in thenever-ending battle to stay true.”