By Carmen Stinson

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Actress Rosario Dawson gave insight on the pressing topics of gender equality, anti-violence and racial disparity to UK students Wednesday evening by stressing the importance of remaining connected and present in an ever-changing global world.

The Student Activities Board’s Multicultural Affairs Committee initiated the discussion as a part of its “Women of the World” series. These events are meant to bring light and perspective to current topics facing today’s youth while spotlighting leading women whose activism has had an impact on today’s generations.

“With these events I wanted to be able to give a voice to the people who want to talk about these issues but don’t know where,” said Kristyn Cherry, SAB’s Multicultural Affairs Committee director. “We don’t have the platform to talk enough though we have very valuable things to say.”

Dawson began her discussion with emphasizing the importance of talking about issues in today’s society.

“Regardless of who you are there is so much value in talking to each other, it feels good,” Dawson said. “By being interconnected people can make generational leaps and bounds.”

She went on to praise that anti-violence and gender equality had finally become a discussion. While pondering the topic she came to the conclusion that conversation initiates action and accountability.

Dawson’s discussion continued with the importance of recognizing these issues in order to become a progressive society.

“We aren’t post-racism or post-sexism by any means but there has been a significant impact by means of conversation and our perspectives are spreading, changing, and diversifying,” Dawson said.

Students were impressed with Dawson’s ability to eloquently and thoughtfully address these sensitive issues while advocating change and progression.

“I felt like I got to see a different side of her, it gave me a different perspective and made me really think about things,” said psychology freshman Dayshea White.

Dawson left students with a particular piece of advice when taking on the world today.

“The time when people put their foot down and say enough is enough, that’s when impact is made, that’s when change happens,” Dawson said. “When there is a sense of urgency we make traction on these issues and they become more than just a trending topic.”