Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and sorority Alpha Gamma Delta hosted “Coffee and Cream” on Thursday, Feb. 13 in the Guillot University Center to discuss the taboos of interracial relationships.

The event was an open-floor discussion based on questions that focused on the stereotypes, conflicts and history of interracial relationships.

“I think the event went very well,” said President of the Black Student Alliance Tyree Whitson. “I didn’t expect the Q and A portion. My brother put that together, but it was a good idea so we didn’t seem like a deer in headlights.”

The panel of hosts included Alpha Gamma Delta members Caroline Bobo and Alex Annett and Alpha Phi Alpha members Thaddeus Rowell, Alonzo Dukes, Kentrell Thomas and Tyree Whitson. As questions were asked, audience members were encouraged to raise their hand and give their opinion.

“I feel like interracial relationships are taking over,” Whitson said. “People are finally starting to stand up for what they believe in and not worrying about what other people might say. (They’re) saying ‘I don’t want to hide who I’m in love with.”’

The hour-long discussion was spurred by six questions from the panel, including one that asked how history has impacted students now.

“The old generation is withering away,” Rowell said. “Do you feel that with them passing people are becoming more tolerant of interracial relationships?”

Students quickly engaged the subject, saying that because students were raised by the older generation they continue to segregate even when sitting in the GUC for lunch.

“I understand that it’s a problem and that we all sit separately,” said student Martika Finklea. “As people were talking about how this should change, for students both black and white, what are we going to do?”

Sophomore Graem Cook immediately offered to meet for lunch and followed up afterward asking when would be a good time.

“It’s easy to say ‘OK, we’re going out for lunch today’ with your white friends or with your black friends,” Whitson said. “It’s not that we don’t have friendships, it’s just that when we get around our own, we start acting a certain type of way.”

Ultimately, the hosts deemed the event a success.

“I hope everyone walked away with something,” Rowell said. “We thought it would be appropriate since it’s Black History month.”

Alpha Phi Alpha members have already begun anticipating the next event and said they are definitely planning on doing “Coffee and Cream” again.

“In the future we hope to change the location,” Thomas said. “We’ll also be looking for a bigger turnout.”

Alpha Gamma Delta members said they felt similarly and thought events like these encourage integration between not only students, but Greeks, too.

“I feel like the conversation was very informative and insightful,” Bobo said. “I would love to see more National Panhellenic and National Pan-Hellenic Council events. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a next time.”