MEChA of Ventura College invites all students and community members to participate in a debate of their own, after watching the presidential debates in the cafeteria’s Fireside Lounge tonight at 6 p.m.
The open-mic style forum following the debate will feature Ventura College political science Professors Dan Gonzalez and Kent Quinn to help students gain an grasp of the issues surrounding the election, as well as city councilwoman of Port Hueneme, Maciela Morales, said event organizer Lorrie Brown, a current CLU graduate student and VC alumnus.
Brown believes with the current economic problems and political climate, this historic election is not one to miss out on, and participating in the discussion is the best way to form an understanding of the complex issues.
“This is a once in a lifetime event because this presidential election has been unprecedented in many ways, mostly because the nomination of a woman and an African American male,” Brown said. “There have been others, but no one has ever made it this far.”
The VC forum is the first of three to be held across Ventura County. On Oct. 7, one will be held at California Lutheran University and on Oct. 15, the final forum will be held at CSU Channel Islands. The three locals were chosen to represent the differences between East and West County.
“[The debate] is very unique in that each campus gets to shape the discussion forum for their community,” Brown said.
Despite Senator John McCain’s recent thoughts of withdrawing from the debate, Brown said the event would have continued, regardless of any presidential debate. Although, it is confirmed today that McCain will attend the debate against opponent Senator Barrack Obama.
Brown got the idea to hold a discussion forum from history Professor Ola Washington.”She planted the seed and I took it and ran with it,” Brown said.
The MEChA club decided to sponsor the event in the absence of any other election themed events on campus, said advisor and history Professor Mayo De la Rocha.”You need a forum, you need a discussion, you need to have the intellect,” he said. “I think its time for young people to stand up let themselves be known that their time has come.”
