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MLSP Scholars ensure Guilford promotes diversity throughout the community
BY CLARE FORRISTER
Staff Writer
Every year, one small, diverse group
of fewer than 20 students works tirelessly,
to break down the unceasing, outdated
prejudices that still affect Guiltord to this
day.
Whether people realize it or not, this
group has helped make changes in College
policies that affect everyone's experiences on
campus.
"I think the goal of MLSP is to push the
community to actively embrace diversity
and recognize the importance of the
experiences of all people," said junior and
second-year MLSP Scholar Zana Hicks in an
email interview.
This year's 16 MLSP scholars learn about
the value of diversity through weekly
workshops and discussions.
Scholars then bring what they learn to
the wider community through year-long
projects with positive impacts. The projects
focus on changing policy at Guilford to be
more inclusive.
"The real issue is making sure the College
as a whole lives up to its diversity core value,
and through MLSP we've seen tihat work be
actualized because we as students actually
have to implement it," said senior and
second-year MLSP Scholar Khadija Carr.
Students in the program form small
groups to pursue their diversity-focused
projects for the year.
"Groups need to focus on a specific policy
or practice that will lead to the creation of a
more affirming culture for all groups," reads
the MLSP page on Guilford's website.
Last year, one group worked to change
the approad\ to sexual pssault and heeilth
education during new Student orientation
by improving the way orientation leaders
facilitate conversations about sexual assault
and health.
"My group members and I did research
of how sexu^ assault and health was taught
and surveyed first-years," said junior and
second-year MLSP Scholar Yashua Clemons
in an email interview.
The group restructured the program to
create a more effective approach to the topic,
and their changes were implemented for
Orientation at the beginning of this year.
Students, part of the Multicultural Leadership Scholars Program, meet in the Multicultural Resource Center inside King Hall to discuss their projects.
Other projects have aimed to improve
campus policies on financial literacy,
the design of RA training regarding
the judicial policies at Guilford and the
imderrepresentation of people of color on
the Guilford faculty.
This year, students have already
participated in activities to broaden their
perspectives, such as visiting the Sankofa
African-American Museum on Wheels.
"At the museum, I gained so much
knowledge of what actually happened by
seeing the pictures and the documentation,"
said sophomore and first-year MLSP Scholar
Rosie Mijangos-Lucero. "I saw the property
tax receipts where they would charge for
slaves like they were property. You just gain
so much from it."
Students also gain new perspectives at
their weekly meetings.
"The Wednesday meetings are unique,"
said senior and first-year MLSP scholar Josh
Williams. 'The discussions vary so much
because of the difference in perspectives in
the room."
An abimdance of different viewpoints
flourish thanks to the diversity of the group
itself.
"We're a very wide cross-section of
Guilford's campus," said senior and second-
year MLSP Scholar Chelsea Yarborough.
The MLSP program provides each student
with a scholarship, which may be compelling
enough for some students to apply. However,
MLSP requires a commitment greater than
just time.
"You must have a willingness to learn and
not judge right away," said Mijangos-Lucero.
"Do it because you want to learn about it,
not just to get the scholarship. Have that
commitment to it."
The scholars appreciate the opportunity to
be in the program and the chance to make a
difference in the community.
"MLSP is important to the Guilford
community because it centers the work
that marginalized students are doing on
campus," said Yarborough.
"I like knowing that there is a dedicated
space on campus where my ideas are heard,
and I'm encouraged to go out and make
things happen."
First-year and MLSP Scholar Jeffrey Ray
praised the program for creating bonds
across the communit)'^ regarding topics, such
as race, that can be divisive.
Ray expressed his confidence in the power
of MLSP to make a difference.
"I believe one small group can move a
mountain," said Ray.
Colorful hair grows and streaks across the campus
BY LILY LOU
Staff Writer
Bleach, hair dye, latex gloves
and a bold personality.
These are just a few things
you may need to dye your hair
an unconventional color, such as
pastel pink, lime green or navy
blue.
Chances are if you walk through
Guilford College's campus on
any given day, you will run into
someone with colorful hair.
"It's pretty normal," said
senior Deanna Moquin. "I'm not
surprised when I see people with
dyed hair."
For many, hair dye is a medium
of expressing themselves.
"Doing different things with
your hair is a great way to express
yourself, and it's not something
that's permanent," said Janet
Wright, faculty secretary and
ombudsperson.
For others, it is a way of rebelling.
"I get really spiteful, so when
Alex “Tiger^ Ward * 18 rebelled against society and died her hair red.
someone tells me that I can't do
something. I'm going to do it,"
said first-year Alex "Tiger" Ward,
who has curly brown hair with a
pop of bright red color in the front.
"It's kind of a rebellious thing.
Women are supposed to be pretty
and dainty, and I'm like, forget
that, I do what I want."
Some do it because of the
aesthetic appeal.
"Honestly it's totally vain,"
said Aron Correa, a first-year with
a history of dying their hair all the
colors of the rainbow, including
rainbow. "I think it makes my
eyes look better. I think it suits
my personality more. It just looks
better and spices things up."
Wild hair colors are becoming
more popular and accepted within
the Guilford community.
"I like how people feel more
comfortable changing things
about their body and their physical
appearances," said sophomore
Lucy Kokenge Hartsock, who
has a pixie cut with orange and
yellow highlights. "I appreciate
that people are becoming more
accepting of different types of
creative expression."
As for choosing a color, many
students experimented with
different colors before finding
their favorite.
"I've done pink and blue
together," said Amber Reid, a CCE
senior with short hair and teal
highlights. "I didn't like the pink
because it fades too fast. I liked the
blue though."
Bold hair colors are often used
to express unique personality.
, "I think it makes a statement,"
Amber Reid (left) and Amanda Thompson (right) both dye their hair.
said Ward. "For me, red is a color
of passion. I'm a very passionate
person, and I'm very passionate
about music."
Ward has dyed her hair pink,
purple and red, which she prefers
the most.
' If you are afraid of dyeing your
hair yourself, simply head to a
salon.
"I go to a place called 'A Beauty
Parlor,' and the woman who does
my hair is Lindsey Wilkerson,"
said Reid. "If someone goes to her
and says they were recommended
by me or anyone else they'll get a
discount on their first visit. Her
prices are incredibly reasonable,
and she's willing to work with
someone if they're not entirely
sure what they want. I've gone
in having no idea what I really
want to do with my hair, and she
always helps me figure something
out that always ends up looking
great."
Otherwise, if you're willing
to take a risk and dye it at home.
Manic Panic seems to be the most
popular brand of coJorfuJ hair dye.!
"My favorite product for
coloring is probably Manic Panic,
but I stick to using argon oil
for when my hair gets dry and
untamed," said Laura Navey, a
first-year with aqua-blue hair.
Or perhaps you could enlist a
friend to help you dye your hair.
When asked what color she
plans on dying her hair next,
Navey mentioned asking for a
friend's assistance.
"Probably whatever my friend
chooses," said Navey. "I like to
give him creative freedom over
things like this. He's a genius
when it comes to stuff like this,
and it's really fun to be surprised."
To those who are thinking of
dying their hair, Navey offered
some advice.
"Research, research, research,"
said Navey. "Know what you're
getting into. Also, and most
importantly, hair grows back.
Don't be afraid to experiment.
No one thought I was cut out
for blonde hair, but I went for it
anyway and I loved it. Life's too
: ^brt^to^play ;it safe^S ‘ n jl