Panel to discuss impact of Obama’s candidacy

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — What impact has Barack Obama’s run for the presidency had on the country?

Youngstown State University’s Black Faculty and Staff Association will host “Race and Politics: The Political, Social, and Cultural Impact of Barack Obama’s Candidacy” from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 132 of YSU’s DeBartolo Hall.

Panelists include Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams; YSU professors Paul Gordiejew of anthropology, Cryshanna Jackson of political science and Victor Wan-Tatah of Africana Studies; and Shareef Ali, president of Youngstown/Warren 100 Black Men of America.

Madonna Chism Pinkard of WFMJ’s “Community Connection” program will serve as panel moderator.

The forum will review the social, cultural and political ramifications of Obama’s candidacy from race relations, nationally and internationally, to issues of patriotism, religion and the new black identity.

The forum was in the planning stages before Obama won the presidential race, and the decision at the time was to focus on his candidacy, said Hasheen Wilson, one of the program organizers.

It’s designed to look at how it encouraged, motivation and brought people to work together, Wilson said.

Questions from the audience could prompt panel members to expand the format to talk about the effects of the election as well, he said.

The event is free and open to the public.