2008 Woodie Awards
Many ignore multicultural week
Rachel Carr, Staff Writer
Issue date: 11/21/06
Last Updated: 12/26/07
True diversity has historically been absent from the Whitworth campus. Although, instead of asking the tired question of why, it is time for the college to not only try drawing students from diverse backgrounds, but to create an accepting and comfortable environment for those who already attend.
As a private, Christian, predominately-white institution, the majority of our students are ignorant when it comes to issues of race, discrimination or prejudice. They have either never been exposed to such differences or think that they are no longer a problem. But the fact is, we just do not live in a world free of hostility and intolerance.
The Multicultural Awareness Council is responsible for the events put on during Cultural Awareness week under the umbrella of ASWC. The council draws from clubs such as International Club and the Black Student Union, Cultural Diversity Advocates, the Act Six program and ASWC members.
Senior and ASWC cultural events coordinator Delia Orosco was the driving force behind the council. Her position is new this year.
"The MAC is important because we strive to produce cultural awareness through unity and creative collaboration.? We ultimately want to build a cohesive and inclusive community that is welcoming, empowering and open to new perspectives," Orosco said.
The vice president of diversity at Gonzaga, Raymond Reyes, spoke last Thursday night about the importance of diversity at colleges and universities. The presentation turned informal when only about 15 students, the majority minorities, came to hear him talk.
The fact is that it is always minorities who support and attend these kinds of events, Reyes said. People will show up when they're comfortable and entertained but recoil when faced with talking about these tough issues.
"With almost 2,000 students on campus, we probably reached 1 percent of the students with our events during the week," Orosco said.
Although Cultural Awareness Week was significant and satisfactory, the truth is, a good amount of Whitworth students simply ignored it. The infamous and annual International Banquet, put on by the International Club, had major problems selling enough tickets even to cover their costs.
As a private, Christian, predominately-white institution, the majority of our students are ignorant when it comes to issues of race, discrimination or prejudice. They have either never been exposed to such differences or think that they are no longer a problem. But the fact is, we just do not live in a world free of hostility and intolerance.
The Multicultural Awareness Council is responsible for the events put on during Cultural Awareness week under the umbrella of ASWC. The council draws from clubs such as International Club and the Black Student Union, Cultural Diversity Advocates, the Act Six program and ASWC members.
Senior and ASWC cultural events coordinator Delia Orosco was the driving force behind the council. Her position is new this year.
"The MAC is important because we strive to produce cultural awareness through unity and creative collaboration.? We ultimately want to build a cohesive and inclusive community that is welcoming, empowering and open to new perspectives," Orosco said.
The vice president of diversity at Gonzaga, Raymond Reyes, spoke last Thursday night about the importance of diversity at colleges and universities. The presentation turned informal when only about 15 students, the majority minorities, came to hear him talk.
The fact is that it is always minorities who support and attend these kinds of events, Reyes said. People will show up when they're comfortable and entertained but recoil when faced with talking about these tough issues.
"With almost 2,000 students on campus, we probably reached 1 percent of the students with our events during the week," Orosco said.
Although Cultural Awareness Week was significant and satisfactory, the truth is, a good amount of Whitworth students simply ignored it. The infamous and annual International Banquet, put on by the International Club, had major problems selling enough tickets even to cover their costs.
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