Civility reigns among candidates at single Black Caucus debate

"You're about to get my baby," Black Caucus President Nikitra Bailey said to the two presidential caucus candidates. "And you know a mother and its baby. Watch what you do with it."

Last night, Black Caucus held a debate for its presidential and secretarial candidates. One person is running for treasurer and the candidate for vice president dropped out of the race.

The two presidential candidates, Kesha Faison (junior-sociology) and Rashid Njai (junior-biology), said they are friends and have an unwritten agreement that the presidential winner will appoint the person who does not win for the vice presidential position.

After the format of candidate introduction, elections committee questions and audience questions, a group of about 10 gathered around the candidates for further questions, most of which were asked by Bailey.

Faison is the current president of Minorities in Agriculture and Natural Resources Association. She wanted to hold a position in Black Caucus this year, she said, but could not because she was president in another organization. The Black Caucus constitution prohibits officers from holding a position in another student organization, Bailey said.

Njai is the current athletic committee chair of Black Caucus and was the Undergraduate Student Government Pollock/Nittany Senator, but resigned due to educational conflicts.

Njai explained his plans for the caucus through the metaphor of a tree.

"I want to return to our roots," Njai said. "Our organization has become very docile and apathetic . . . But the Black Caucus is like a tree in our village. Too many times we sit under the tree for shade or take fruit off the tree. The current executive board gave the tree life and it would be a big tragedy to let all that work go."

As president, Njai wants to incorporate the principles of the African celebration of Kwanzaa into his administration, such as unity, self-determination and collective work and responsibility.

Njai originally applied to run for caucus vice president, but decided to run for president when no one else did.

Faison had to defend her late entry into the race. Although she was worried about her time constraints for the coming year, she said, she is dedicated to the position.

"I've wanted this position for a long time," she said. "When they extended the deadline (for applications), I decided this was my second chance to correct my mistake."

Faison emphasized her plan for Black Caucus to work with other minority organizations.

Bailey and other audience members questioned the candidates about how they would handle hypothetical situations, relations with the administration and "apathy" in the caucus.

A crowd of about 30 attended the debate, which Bailey said she hoped would have been higher. Voting will take place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in 212 HUB. Only Black Caucus members can vote. Students who are not currently members can sign up today, but not tomorrow.

Bailey knows who she will vote for, she said, but she is keeping that to herself.