2006 Diversity Week to Focus on Deepening Relationships Across Differences

Student Programming Coordinator Sheena Reed '09

This year's Diversity Week, an annual series sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Affairs, looks at diversity on a more intimate scale than in previous years, says Sheena Reed '08, student programming coordinator in the office. The week begins on Monday, Nov. 6, with a kick-off “diversi-tea” and discussion in the Campus Center Main Lounge from 8:30 to 10 p.m.

“We're hoping to get beyond just introducing people to some of the cultural diversity on campus and move into real conversation and exchange between people of different backgrounds,” Reed says. “So we're focusing more on discussions and conversations.”

“Our kick-off event addresses our goal very directly,” says Reed. “It's a discussion, led by Elise Nelson '09, OIA student affinity-group coordinator, about interracial friendships on campus. A lot of people who are casually acquainted with classmates or lab partners of different racial or ethnic backgrounds never deepen those relationships into real, intimate friendships. We'll be talking about why that might be and how people can overcome barriers to interracial relationships.”

The week's events will also include a cooking demonstration by Mujeres, two video screenings — one presented by Access Services and one by the Asian Students Association — and a workshop titled “Talking Class on Campus,” presented by Felice Yeskel of the nonprofit organization Class Action. Friday's Diversity Conversation, “From Both Sides of the Tracks: Class, Privilege and Inter-class Relationships,” will pick up Yeskel's thread. The week will culminate with South Asian Women's annual culture show and a celebration of African and Caribbean Music sponsored by BACaSO.

All Diversity Week Events are free and open to the public. For a complete schedule, see the OIA Web site.

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