New Orleans mayor urges racial harmony

Marc Morial, a Penn alum, spoke at an event of the Greek COLORS program. In an effort to promote discussion and awareness of racial issues on Penn's campus, New Orleans Mayor and University alumnus Marc Morial spoke to about 40 students last night and challenged them to open their minds and hearts during their college years. Morial's speech in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall was one of the last events of the week-long Campus Organized Lectures on Racial Sensitivity program, sponsored by the Alpha Phi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Chi fraternities and the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. The evening opened with remarks by Paul Alvarez, a junior at Haverford College, and Dan Leberman, a College sophomore, two of the chairpersons of COLORS. Max Henri Covil, a Penn alumnus and APA bother, introduced Morial to the crowd. After reminiscing about his experience as a Penn student during the late 1970s, Morial issued several challenges to Penn students. First, he advised the audience to prepare for working in the global economy -- which he said will require interaction with a variety of people from different cultures -- by taking advantage of the opportunities they have now. "[College is] a time to confront within yourself the stereotypes you have of yourself and others," Morial said. "It is also a time to open your hearts and your minds." Morial also spoke about the importance of technology in the 21st century. However, Morial expressed fear that in the future we will experience "technology apartheid" which will dramatically separate those who have and understand technology and those who do not. It is students' responsibility, as the inheritors of the world, to make sure that this gap does not develop, he said. In emphasizing students' responsibility and role in the future, Morial touched on his third theme for the evening -- a need for a renewed social consciousness throughout the nation. "Young people can make a difference," he said, offering himself as proof, having been elected mayor at age 35. Several students pointed out the value of Morial's speech and of the COLORS program in general. "The school needs to become more aware that there are racial issues," Jose Tumkaya, a Wharton sophomore, said. Other events in the COLORS program included an ice cream social Monday -- at which the a capella groups Off the Beat and Inspirations performed -- and a discussion group in DuBois College House on Tuesday. A party at the Eden Rock nightclub at 18th and South streets tomorrow night will be the final COLORS event.