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Celebrate Our Diversity
By Neal Bagchz
Staff Writer
There is a severe problem afflicting the stu
dents of UNC. Many have noticed, while still oth
ers remain clueless. For some, it is based on their
upbringing, while for others, it is based on a con
temptuous hatred, but for all, it is based on igno
rance. Racism and prejudice do indeed exist on
the UNC campus, despite jubilant proclamations by
communal leaders and university officials on the
said open-mindedness of the surrounding commu
nity. It is there...most people just don’t want to
talk about it.
For many years, a Campus Y organization
known as SARR (Students for the Advancement of
Race Relations), has been attempting to ameliorate
race relations on campus. This year these
attempts culminated in RACE RELATIONS WEEK,
April 7-13. Through Race Relations Week, SARR
hoped to generate appreciation throughout the
campus for the multitude of diverse cultures who
are often disregarded. Through a campaign cen
tered around education, the week consisted of
numerous workshops, training sessions, movie
presentations, speakers, forums, and a multicul
tural food fair. On the night of April 10, there was
a Youth United Fashion and Talent Show, as well
as a Sigma Nu-Alpha Phi Alpha party in recogni
tion of Race Relations Week; the entire event cul
minated in a Unity Concert on April 18, featuring
the Clefs, the Harmonyx, the BSM Gospel Choir
and others.
Years of oppression have resulted in a dual
racism that has accompanied mankind into moder
nity. The aim of Race Relations Week was not to
ask those to forget who they are and where they
came from, but rather to declare, “This is who I
am — proud and strong. Come learn about my
people so that 1 may learn about yours, and togeth
er maybe we can continue into the future side by
side, as brothers and sisters.”
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Vi/ CAROLINA UMIOM
performing arts series
'Heritage' blends
traditional dance,
music and story telling,
with spectacle, acrobatics,
comedy and drama
Les Ballets
AfricaiRS
THE NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY OF GUINEA
$ 14 - $22 General Public $8 - $ 12 UNC Student
Call Carolina Union Ticket Office: 962-1449.