By Tailor Miles
Students filled Room 208 of the Student Center on Sept. 25 for a collaborative event hosted by the Black Student Union and The Women of UNCP Organizations, titled “How to Treat a Woman and (Man).” Designed to highlight the importance of healthy communication between men and women, the program gave students the opportunity to engage in honest conversations about relationships, respect and understanding.
The title itself sparked curiosity across campus, On the event flyer, the phrase “and man” appeared in parentheses, a subtle change that reflected the event’s expanding focus. While originally cenetered on women, organizers wanted to open the discussion to include everyone, emphasizing that communication is essential in all types of relationships, not just romantic ones.
The evening began with introductions from both organizations, explaining that the purpose of the event was to create a comfortable space where students could voice opinions, ask questions and share advice on how to approach difficult conversations.
Attendees were encouraged to discuss how they would react in certain scenarios. Some drawn from everyday misunderstandings, others from more sensitive personal experiences.
To bring these situations to life, members of the Black Student Union and The Women of UNCP presented a series of short skits. Each dramatizing explored a common breakdown in communication, followed by an open discussion where audience members reflected on how they would respond and what could have been done differently.
The first scenario focused on friendship and boundaries. Three friends were shown hanging out in a dorm room when one, trying to complete a homework assignment, asked others to quiet down. Instead of being receptive, the friends turned defensive and began ganging up on her. “You can do homework somewhere else,” one of them said. “We’re not even being that loud,” another replied.
Afterthe skit, participants were invited to weigh in. “What would you have said or done in that situation?” President of BSU Jamya Blanford asked.
UNCP Junior Jonathan Segres offered an honest answer. “I would have just gotten up and left, to be honest,” Segres said. “It seemed like her friends weren’t very interested I what she had to say, so it would probably be best for her to leave on her own accord and separate herself from the situation.”
The discussion that followed emphasized the importance of self-advocacy without hostility. Students talked about how to set boundaries with friends while remaining respectful and how to express frustration without losing control of their emotions.
The second scenario turned toward family dynamics. In this skit, a young man returned home from school only to find his aunt prying into his personal life. The aunt justified her curiosity by saying she was entitled to know everything simply because of her status and biological relation to him. The fact that she had raised him was another reason she used to hold over his head as well. The performance resonated with many in the room ho recognized the tension between gratitude and privacy within family relationships.
Moderators guided the audience through a conversation about balance and boundaries, acknowledging that love and authority within families do not erase an individual’s right to privacy. The takeaway, they noted, was that even with family, people should feel free to share information at their own pace rather than out of obligation.
The third and final skit shifted to a social setting. At a party, one student pressured another student to drink despite his repeated refusals. The persistent friend insisted it was “just for fun” and that his peer should “loosen up,” ignoring the firm no. The scene illustrated how easily peer pressure can cross boundaries, even among close friends.
Afterwards, attendees discussed how saying no should always be respected and how consent and comfort extend beyond romantic or physical interactions. They are a part of everyday communication and mutual respect. They also emphasized that a no doesn’t always have to be verbal; signs of discomfort and obvious anxiousness can also be a sign of non-consensual activity. One participant pointed out that standing firm in your decisions, even in lighthearted situations, is a key form of self-respect.
Throughout the night, both organizations encouraged conversation rather than lectures. Students from diverse backgrounds shared experiences and perspectives, revealing how easily tone, delivery or misunderstanding can distort meaning. The facilitators reminded participants that communication involves listening as much as speaking and that genuine understanding often requires seeing things from another person’s point of view.
Organizers from The Women of UNCP and Black Student Union said the collaboration was meant to bridge gaps and strengthen campus unity. By framing lessons through relatable, everyday situations, they hoped attendees would walk away with practical insight into how to communicate effectively and compassionately.
The event concluded with an open reflection where students were invited to share what they learned as well as ask questions. Many echoed the same sentiment, that being that self-respect and empathy go hand in hand, and that communication is a skill that must be practiced, not assumed. There wasn’t a single voice dominating the room; it was a real conversation. This event succeeded in sparking that conversation. From friendships and family relationships to social settings, attendees left with a deeper appreciation for communication’s power to either divide or connect.