Panelists discuss qualities of a good man and woman as a part of the African American Cultural Center’s third annual Hot Topic discussion. Janay Neal | Staff Photographer
»Myranda Harrison
Guest Writer
Many students gathered with a panel of consultants to discuss what they thought were good qualities in a partner in the third annual Hot Topic discussion on Tuesday, Feb. 12 in the Wilber N. Daniel African American Cultural Center.
Dwonna Goldstone, English professor, helped lead the discussion. Goldstone was joined by two APSU alumni, Chris Pointer and Amanda Brown-Foster as well as current APSU students Christian Wilson, a third year sociology major, and Ernyce Smith, a fourth year education major. Lee Hall, the official first lady of APSU, was also there to give her advice and insight.
The conversation started by asking the question, “How do you all remember your first love?” Almost everyone on the panel had an answer for this question. Some people even said their first loves were in grade school.
Chris Pointer started by telling everyone about his first love from the second grade. He stated, “I’ll never forget.” He said it was then when he realized the stereotype that came with having a darker skin complexion. APSU senior Erynce Smith, on the other hand, said she didn’t encounter her first love until high school. He was a “bad boy” she explained, “If you were bad, you were my kind of guy.” Several others went on to say how they remember their first loves as well.
The evening continued with advice given from the entire discussion panel. Topics such as marriage, dating and red flags in a relationship were the center of focus. When the topic of marriage came up, Hall was very adamant when telling students that she did not think it was a good idea for couples to live together until they were married.
“It greatly increases your chances of divorce,” Hall said.
Others, such as Christian Wilson, injected their opinions and highly agreed with Hall. Wilson didn’t think it was a good idea to get married unless the qualities in your mate are clear.
Truly knowing the person that you’re with and having a good sense of communication are all the things that the panel indicated they wanted to leave instilled in the students, once the event was over.
