Workshop kicks off Unity Week

Building on the relationships they formed at a retreat earlier this year, approximately 30 members of the United Minorities Council attended the Cross Cultural Student Leadership Workshop. Programs for Awareness in Cultural Education peer educators led the workshop, which kicked off the UMC's Unity Week. UMC members discussed issues they think affect minority students and how to resolve them. Meeting in small groups and then as a whole, the members focused on stereotypes and perceptions they have of each other that hinder unity. "Some of the things we talked about were why ethnic clubs seem exclusive, why others fear joining them and where that fear comes from," said College sophomore Eng Wong, UMC program coordinator. "We also talked about why there are so many Asian groups -- if Asian affairs are so important why are we divided and whether it would be better to have one group," Wong added. Members then compiled a list of 13 programs they plan to sponsor, hoping to increase interaction between UMC groups. Some suggestions included a forum about black/Korean relations, an awards banquet and a discussion about the newly passed Proposition 187 in California, which curbs benefits for illegal aliens. Wharton senior Jenny Ho, UMC vice chairperson, found the workshop productive. But, she says she is disappointed that no Undergraduate Assembly representatives accepted an invitation to the event. "The UA could've learned more about the UMC and we could've heard more about how the UA perceives us," Ho said. "I felt they should've been there." UA Chairperson and Wharton junior Dan Debicella said "it was very unfortunate" that members did not attend the event. "It was very bad timing," he said. "It was on Parent's Weekend. But there are a lot more events coming up in Unity week that UA members will be attending." The UMC will sponsor an event each day this week, all designed to teach students about the different cultures represented on campus. Harvard Professor Cornel West, who wrote The New York Times best-seller Race Matters, will discuss race relations nationwide at 7 p.m. tonight at International House. Ho said that the UMC had a wide audience in mind when planning the week. "A lot of the events are more social," Ho said. "The whole point is to say, 'yes we're unified, but we're also diverse.' It's not just about people of color, it's about everyone on campus."