Tuesday night the Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the Florida A&M University chapter of Progressive Black Men Inc. hosted their second annual Red Light, Green Light seminar in Perry- Paige auditorium.
The seminar focused on relationship issues, including first impressions, courtships, dating, breakups and marriage.
Terrance Roberts, 20, a sophomore mechanical engineering student from Havana, said he enjoyed the seminar.
“I thought it was a very helpful seminar,” Roberts said. “It gave points to help me think about my own relationship. I hope to use some of the things that I learned and apply it to my own relationship.”
During each segment of the seminar, members of the two organizations performed a skit addressing problems often encountered in relationships. The members then asked questions regarding the issues addressed in the skit. Audience members participated by raising either a red or green sheet of paper to signify whether or not they agreed with the statements being made.
Members of the panel included Kathryn Berry, 22, a fifth-year business student from Clinton, Md.; Cherlise Forshee, 21, a fourth-year business administration student from Miami; Kiana Thomas, 20, a criminal justice student from Miami; and Dr. Yolanda Bogan, a counselor from the counseling center at FAMU.
The setting for one of the skits was a church service where one of the actresses came to church to get saved, while dressed moderately seductive, but had a hidden agenda to find a man.
After the skit the moderator asked, “Is it inappropriate for a woman to look for a man in church?” The general consensus was although there is nothing wrong with finding a spouse in the church, a woman’s focus for going to service should be to strengthen her relationship with God.
Melissa Butler, 20, a third-year business administration student from Detroit, said some of her views on the roles of men and women were changed after attending the seminar.
“They touched on the topic of, ‘Is girls asking a guy out taboo?’ ” Butler said. “I was like yes, that is so taboo. I am not supposed to approach a guy.” Butler further explained that once she heard the rationale from the audience, she understood why a girl would approach a guy.
Kiana Thomas said she thought that the event was an overall success. “I really enjoyed it,” Thomas said. “It was really informative for myself even though I was sitting on the panel. I thought the response from the audience was great. I was excited to hear us as enlightening and as open as we were. Those that had a different opinion expressed it in an intelligent way.”
Shelley Seymore, 23, a graduating business student from Atlanta and one of the program coordinators for Red Light, Green Light, said she felt the objective of the seminar was met. “(The seminar) addressed the issues that people have, and there were things that were interesting that people could relate to,” Seymore said.
Maynard Yates, 23, a computer science student from Dallas, said he was pleased with the turnout from the crowd and looks forward to having the event again next year.
“This being the second year of this event and we packed out Perry -Paige, I think it shows that people see more in this event than the typical seminar,” Yates said.