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The Rice Thresher
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by KRISTINA GROENNINGS THRESHER STAFF
The fliers contained messages such as "Don't Have Sex With Blacks, Avoid AIDS!" and "no multiracial society can be a truly healthy society." Students distributed an estimated 1,000 black-and-white ribbons Wednesday to raise awareness for the week's cause. A "Unity Walkout and Rally" was held in the academic quad yesterday at 11:50 a.m. Also, surveys will be distributed today during lunch at all the colleges to evaluate student opinion about race and diversity issues at Rice, as well as to gauge student support about the introduction of an ethnic studies major. Will Rice College senior Andrea Hinckson and Lovett College senior June Marshall, both members of the Black Student Association, coordinated the week's events. After hearing about the fliers, Hinckson and Marshall met with a group of concerned students and Director of Multicultural Affairs Cathi Clack, Sociology Department Chair Chandler Davidson and Anthropology graduate student Kristin Peterson, a member of the University Standing Committee on Affirmative Action. The group discussed race relations on campus and talked about options for immediate action. "We felt the whole campus should know that, some 40 years after the civil rights movement, we still have to deal with this issue," Hinckson said. "If we want to counter this, we must send out a stronger message - one of love and unity- one that says we will not tolerate your hate," she added. Hinckson said student organizations responded with widespread support. Representatives from over 50 student organizations on campus signed up to co-sponsor Racial Solidarity Week. "It has truly showed me that the Rice community can come together to promote diversity in a positive manner as a united front," Marshall said. Hinckson said she is fairly content with race relations on campus. However, she said the Anti-Defamation League reports that fliers from the National Alliance, a hate group based in West Virginia, were only distributed at two schools in Texas: Rice and the University of Texas. "That's why, personally, I haven't ruled out the possibility that the Alliance was aided by students on this campus, which is more than troubling," Hinckson said. Thursday's rally was scheduled to consist mainly of short speeches. Baker College sophomore Audrey Ette, who coordinated the rally, gave opening remarks. Other students and faculty members offered "diversity testimonies" on their personal experiences with racism and diversity and provided hope for the future. Among those speakers were Vice President for Student Affairs Zenaido Camacho, Vice President for Public Affairs Terry Shepard, Computational and Applied Mathematics Professor Richard Tapia, Associate Professor of English José Aranda, History Research Scholar Alexander Byrd, Baker junior Marisa Bono and Sid junior Ellen Chenoweth. Hinckson said the week had overwhelmingly positive responses. Though some students recommended ignoring the fliers at first, Hinckson said she believed this was not a good solution. "I think that this is a very dangerous view to have. These groups may simply begin by posting fliers but end by using violence," she said. Marshall and Hinckson both hope that this will not be the last time Rice has a week dedicated to racial harmony. "Even though both Andrea and I are seniors this event should not die when we graduate," Marshall said. "By initiating dialogue about this issue, Rice students will know that the fight for tolerance and understanding needs to be a unified, never-ending effort." - back - |
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