by Angelica Martinez
Features Editor
Society of Leaders (SOL) and International Student Organization (ISO) in conjunction with other social groups on campus, hosted a “Multicultural week” this week, for cultural awareness.
The week was comprised of several daily events that allowed the campus as well as the community to experience and learn social and cultural differences.
Courtney Dade, sophomore, and president of SOL, came up with the idea for an event on campus to promote multicultural awareness. With the help of ISO, who has had experience in the past with similar events. Dade was able to make a proposal. Once the proposal was accepted, a grant donated by ASF for $1,500 helped pay for the presentation and preparation of the events.
“One of our objectives in SOL is to embrace the different genders and backgrounds,” Dade said.
It was following these objectives that inspired Dade to propose a multicultural event on campus, which, with time, became a full week event.
“I wanted to set it up like a Homecoming format. That is what got the most people.
“I contacted different groups on campus and it just grew from there,” Dade said.
In Dade’s plans, diverse dancers and performers would entertain the audience, while simultaneously educate them.
“I personally had never seen an Egyptian dance before. We wanted to get new things out to people that would be from different cultures while at the same time educate them too.”
Every day, events like dancers, speakers, vendors and booth displays were presented throughout various areas on campus.
“The first two days were set up with SOL and ISO for club participation. It wasn’t until the next days that we had Harvel [Lewis, coordinator for multicultural affairs] and campus ministries involved,” said Dade.
In addition, workshop formatted sessions dealt with social issues like stereotyping and racism. These workshops were generated to promote acceptance of diversity.
Lewis helped set up these programs with participation from classes.
“Deborah Burris-Kitchen’s [assistant professor of sociology] class presented a panel that presented what it was like to be stereotyped,” she said.
The week, which was planned since November, was “so much work,” according to Dade.
Tuesday’s luncheon and booth display was a successful event in the eyes of some students.
“It’s a good thing because it makes everyone aware of all the cultures that exist,” said Andee Gomez, freshman English major.
LaVelle Wilson, senior, theater arts major, helped in the African-American Student Alliance (AASA) and the Brothers Forum booth.
Dressed in authentic African attire, Wilson and others offered homemade food. The event, with its food and decor, added to the goal of the week.
However, the events were not well received in attendance.
Those who attended Tuesday’s luncheon were not aware of other sessions throughout the week.
“Whenever I would ask students if they were attending the day’s event, they would say, ‘What event?'” said Lewis.
Even with the poor attendance, those who attended received a good experience.
“It’s a good thing to recognize our diversity and background on campus. We don’t do it as often, it is a good thing to do,” said Teriy Castro, a junior diversified major.
Event coordinators will meet soon after the event to discuss next year’s plans of improvement and preparation.
“We hope to make this a yearly event,” said Dade.
Angelica Martinez
