Photo by: Bradley Morrison

By: Bradley Morrison, Staff Writer 

In a miscellaneous period of time in the AUC, it is important to have spaces where men can have open conversations. On April 26, The Department of Student Conduct hosted its first episode of ‘Student Conduct in the Cut’, a podcast series where students can talk about an assortment of topics inside the campus.

The conversation was on men’s mental health and took place in the campus barber shop.

This episode was moderated by the host from the 440 Podcast, John George, Haki Pratt, Dammion Blackwell, Caval Spearman Jr., and myself.

The episode was open for anyone inside the shop to join. Students who became involved in the conversation were treated to a free haircut and pizza from Slim & Huskies.

The conversation transitioned from navigating high school to college  and  the role Morehouse plays in their mental health. Blackwell opted in as to why the barbershop is an important space to discuss mental health.

“The barbershop has long served as a place for comfort and vulnerability,” said Blackwell. 

“I think it is important for us to continuously use this safe space and to have these conversations especially as it pertains to mental health as I feel it is under-discussed in the black community,” he said.

Brock Mayers, the Associate Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Students also stopped by and added his opinion to the discussion.

When discussing the recent protest against allegations of sexual assault and rape in the AUC, Dean Mayers said this: “It’s a lot going on campus right now in that space. I think we need to have some conversation around being accountable for ourselves and for each other,” Mayers said. 

“When I say each other I’m not just talking about those on 830, but them at James P. Brawley (Clark Atlanta University) and Spelman Lane (Spelman College),” he said.

Mayers believes if you were to ask everyone on the Morehouse campus if they loved the institution, they would agree, but they are not vulnerable enough to have conversations surrounding what needs to change.

Be on the lookout in your student email for the full episode and follow @440official on Instagram. 

Copy Edited by Auzzy Byrdsell, MT Secretary