By Giulia Gutzwiller, Arts and Entertainment Editor

Xavier’s non-partisan civic engagement initiative, Take It On, hosted two events in the past few weeks that facilitated discussions about the recent killings in Minnesota and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  

Their first event covering this topic was held on Feb. 10 in response to the recent killings of Alex Pretti, Keith Porter and Renee Good in Minnesota. Students, faculty and community members gathered in Arrupe Overlook to take part in the discussion.  

“This has been a national crisis in popular culture, so what Take It On tries to do is take a national issue, then take out the ethical dimension of that national issue and help people talk across differences on those issues,” Xavier theology professor and Take It On Director Adam Clark said. “I think the benefit of Take It On is that it gives people strategies to talk across those differences.” 

The discussion was proctored by Troy Bronsink, who is a coach, facilitator and founder of the Hive, an organization based in Cincinnati that offers classes, events and workshops to help cultivate mindfulness and community building. Some of his professional focuses include spirituality and leadership. 

Before the discussion began, Bronsink explained the concept of a brave space as opposed to a safe space. In a brave space conversation, participants are called to uplift unheard voices, act with love and examine preexisting beliefs to foster personal growth. 

The event emphasized Catholic social teachings that align with Xavier’s Jesuit values. The four teachings mentioned in the discussion were dignity of the human person, the common good, solidarity and discernment. 

“We wanted to introduce some of the Catholic social teachings from the Jesuit Ignatian tradition in order to show students if you have a Xavier education, you are compelled, in terms of values, to engage in this,” Clark said. 

Take It On’s follow-up event was held on Tuesday night, covering similar topics with open conversation among attendees.  

“It is important for everyone to come out because it is important to hear conversations and different perspectives. It is also important for people to show up because being involved and knowledgeable in the community is important as well,” senior Philosophy, Politics, and the Public and communications double major and Take It On Fellow Christian Geary said. 

A highlight of this event for many people was the ability to meet new people and listen to new perspectives that are different from their own. 

“I think the sense of community strengthens in these situations and grows a tighter bond,” Geary said. 

Students also highlighted the importance of having spaces to discuss intense political issues on campus. 

“I feel like I need to engage in order to not just feel better but to feel like I’m doing something. I show up as much as I can,” junior theatre major Loretta Rubin said. “We live in a world that wants us to be so isolated.”

Take It On plans to host another event later in the semester, tackling issues relevant to the Xavier community.