Photo by the author.

Cast and crew of Lovers and Madmen’s production could not be subdued Thursday night, covering the Rock and a nearby tree to publicize this weekend’s running of the William Shakespeare comedy The Taming of the Shrew.The show runs until Saturday with performances 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. tonight at Shanley Pavilion.

President Schapiro looks on at Thursday’s forum. Photo by John Meguerian / North by Northwestern.

In light of the blackface incident and recent instances of racial profiling, Associated Student Government, Student Affairs and the Coalition of Colors united to put on a public forum Thursday evening to discuss blackface and other racial issues at Northwestern.

The forum, which packed the Louis Room at Norris, aimed to provide a safe, public place where community members could discuss issues of race and how individual students’ actions reflect the culture of Northwestern as a whole. The event, which University President Morton Schapiro attended, also anticipated a series of steps to deal with racism and prejudice at the university.

Sandra Richards, African-American studies and theatre professor, spoke about the history of blackface and explained why it is still considered offensive today. The practice dates back to the middle of the 19th century, she said, when white comedians and stage performers began painting their faces black to create a comical, stereotypically black character. Moreover, black actors were forced to paint their faces with burnt charcoal to find work since audiences wanted to see actual blackface.

“Blackface continues to wound,” Richards said. “It continues to say ‘you don’t belong.’”

Professor Barnor Hesse of the African-American studies department took the stage to facilitate the larger discussion of the evening.

“The question of race depends on your interest,” Hesse said. “The relationship of interest to race is crucial. It does not turn on how much you understand it — the commitment is to tackling the issues and then to engage with understanding.”

Blackface became a hot-button issue when the audience joined in to discuss their opinions. Some were applauded for insightful statements, while others received groans and boos from the rest of the crowd.

Some students at the forum suggested that blackface should be considered in terms of the perpetrators’ intent. If it wasn’t malicious, it wasn’t racist, some said.

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, a third-year graduate student in the African-American studies department, disagreed. “Looking at intent is the wrong way to focus on the issue,” she said. “That approach leaves it up to the perpetrators to decide whether something was racist, but we should look at how it affects life for black students.”

Taylor also cited the Northwestern police reports, which according to her stigmatize black males on campus by identifying suspects of sexual assault or theft as young black men. She urged the administration to discontinue this practice on the part of the Northwestern police.

SESP freshman, Zoe Goodman spoke of her involvement in For Members Only, Northwestern’s black student alliance, and encouraged others to get involved in activities that take them out of their comfort zones.

“Before I moved to Evanston, I didn’t really know any black people,” Goodman said. “But FMO has been so friendly and welcoming to me, and I’m excited now.”

After hearing students’ opinions on the roots of racial profiling problems at Northwestern and suggestions for solutions, President Morton Schapiro addressed the audience and promised to work toward change.

“If you really love something, you’d better be critical of it,” Schapiro said. “I realize that there are a lot of things to work on. So when I hear stories of profiling, I know I’ve got to deal with that.”

He also stressed the role of the entire community in effecting change and added that the administration alone cannot solve the problems of racism for the whole university.

“Hold me accountable for a lot of things, but I’m holding you accountable as well,” he told the crowd. “If you love this community, or even if you’re just a part of it, you have as much responsibility as I do.”

Members of the University Lutheran Church painted the Rock at 10:30 Wednesday night. In its message, ULC invited students to its Sunday morning worship services at 2204 Orrington Ave.

At Northwestern, I know two people who took a gap year. In London, it’s much less of an anomaly. One of my flatmates worked full-time at a grocery store for half a year to save up for spending half a year in India. Many others take at least half a year to travel Europe, or just save up for uni. It’s definitely a different perspective on career.

Every time a Northwestern friend tells me about his or her fabulous internship, it sounds like they’re taking one step closer to being a career person — and getting a job is what growing up is all about, right? The idea of going home to Ann Arbor, Mich. wasn’t an option for me this summer. I’d rather work three jobs so I could hold an internship because not having something related to my career seemed like a waste of time. Even my friends from my hippie-tastic home who took a gap year seem to do it out of necessity for money. And often times, they still took classes at a community college.

Having a gap year to find yourself or to see the world just doesn’t seem like an option, an archaic idea better left to the Beat Generation. In London, it’s not. I’ve met plenty of people who took the gap year not because they had to but because they want to. They want to do things like find themselves, see the world and things like that — not career things.

Perhaps it is because we attend Northwestern whose population is admittedly driven. Or perhaps it’s an English cultural difference. Perhaps you aren’t as defined here by your occupation as much as in the States. And if Willy Loman has taught Americans nothing, it’s that we really, really care about our jobs.

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Other football teams need walk-ons to help during practice and to fill out the roster, but they rarely make an impact in games. At Northwestern, however, walk-ons are often seen making big plays on the field. Just this year, the ‘Cats have gotten production every week from walk-ons like senior Markshausen and sophomore running back Jacob Schmidt. What is it that makes Northwestern’s walk-ons so successful?

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald points to the past success of the walk-on program as a reason for the quality of new walk-ons.

“There is a history of success. The best example is Barry Gardner. He walked on here, became first-team All-Big Ten, and then played in the NFL for nine years. Guys see this is a walk-on program where they can have success,” he said.

Gardner had a spectacular career for the ‘Cats as a linebacker after joining the team as a walk-on offensive lineman. In the mid-1990s, Gardner and Fitzgerald headed a linebacking corps that led the team to the Rose Bowl. Gardner led the country in tackles his senior season and finished with the second highest total in team history on his way to getting drafted in the second round of the NFL draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. His career certainly looks good to hopeful walk-ons.

Fitzgerald deserves some of the credit as well for the way he treats walk-ons. While other coaches might not give their walk-ons a chance, Fitzgerald has a different approach.

“He doesn’t discriminate based on whether you’re a scholarship player or a walk-on. He gives everyone the same opportunity,” Markshausen said.

Markshausen is a perfect example of how patience can pay off. Before this season, he had only one reception for six yards, but he made the most of his opportunity after Northwestern’s top three receivers departed after last season.

Doug Bartels, an sophomore offensive lineman, established himself as a key member of the team last season as a redshirt freshman. After walking on in 2007, Bartels enjoyed a successful 2008 season in which he started all eight Big Ten games and the Alamo Bowl at right guard. Now, he’s slated to be a four-year starter for the ‘Cats.

Schmidt and sophomore cornerback Ricky Weina are also getting started early. Weina broke out against Indiana with a pivotal punt block in the 3rd quarter and has collected seven tackles in his past two games, including five solo tackles last week against Penn State. Schmidt has the second most carries among Northwestern’s running backs and has also been a factor in the passing game. Schmidt says the atmosphere on the team is conducive to walk-ons because they are treated as part of the team after trying out.

“I think the biggest part is that we’re a part of the family,” he said. “Other schools might bring in 100 players, but we’re pretty selective. We bring in five or six guys a year. [Walk-ons] all have to be able to play.”

Markshausen graduates next year, but with young players like Bartels, Schmidt, and Weina, the walk-on program should continue its history of success.