Greeks blamed for racism at forum

Attempting to determine the roots of racial segregation on campus, many students at last Thursday's COLORS open forum pointed fingers at the Greek system. Participants in the forum -- part of Campus Organized Lectures on Racial Sensitivity -- expressed the view that segregation is a self-perpetuating problem because the University social scene is sharply divided between the BiCultural InterGreek Council and the InterFraternity and Panhellenic system. "It's really sad we have a segregated social system," said one member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. "It's most problematic because that's how you meet new people." College senior Allison Winn, a Kappa Alpha Theta sister and Daily Pennsylvanian columnist, admitted that "not one of the 600" Panhellenic rushees were black. College senior Carol Williams said that "white women on campus are pigeon-holed into what they feel they are supposed to do," namely, joining the Panhellenic system. Many Panhellenic sorority members said they knew little about the BIG-C, which was initially established to promote minority cultures. "It's more private and intimate and not as publicized," Williams explained. "I wouldn't feel comfortable in the Panhellenic system. I feel like I have little in common with the girls." One Hispanic student said that for her, rush was "a very daunting experience." "[Sorority members] always pointed out that I was a minority," she added. "I didn't feel like I really belonged in the Panhellenic system." The Kite and Key Society performed a skit which dealt with the different perceptions of Spring Fling and the Penn Relays. The Intercultural Coalition to End Discrimination skit focused on inter-racial relationships on campus. Several students also described their concern about their lack of minority friends, adding that they feel the classroom is one of the only places where they can interact with minorities. "On the Walk, minorities you meet in class often don't make eye contact with you," said one member of Kappa Alpha Theta. "I feel like there are thousands of white people on campus. I don't even see people. It's one big blur," said Williams. "It's so easy to spot anyone who's black." Wharton senior and BIG-C President Wayne Wilson said "people usually only perceive the two extremes -- black and white -- and forget about everything in between." "In order to have diversity you have to have a natural common ground," he added. "Diversity can't be forced by the administration. "For me, to share something culturally with [a person of a different race] doesn't mean I have to give up my individuality or who I am," Wilson added. Audience members suggested taking individual steps to end segregation on campus. "I think it's important that you look at people as individuals and don't automatically generalize them into groups," College junior Mariana Field said. COLORS was organized by College junior Chris Greene of Sigma Chi and Wharton senior Byron Johnson of Alpha Phi Alpha.