University of Missouri professors from four different academic fields hosted a public discussion Monday about the February shooting of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin. It was part of the MU "Difficult Dialogues" program, which the discussion moderator says is meant to encourage people to talk about sensitive issues before their views become entrenched.
Professors of law, journalism and psychological sciences each talked about how the shooting and its aftermath related to their field. They then opened the floor for questions. MU junior Stacy Ike says she went to the event to learn more about the legal side of the incident.
"I am a journalism student, so I’ve already heard the journalism part of it, so I wanted to get the other side of it as well," Ike said.
There’s another chance Tuesday night for the public to talk about the Trayvon Martin case. Beyond Trayvon starts at 7 p.m. in MU’s Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center and will discuss other incidents, as well.