Interracial friendships at Behrend: Why can’t we just get along? By Danielle Marshall staff writer That’s what Rodney King said, but what King doesn’t know is that students here at Penn-State Behrend are getting along just fine. Race does not dictate the boundaries of our friendships, our study partners, or even our roommates. It gives a chance to interact and experience people who are not like ourselves, whether it be the color of our skin, the texture of our hair, or our stature. Race can also be defined as any class of people having similar activities or interests. Apparently, it’s not just about whether we look alike or not, but it also concerns the parties we go to together or the sports teams we try out for. The Multi-Cultural Council at Behrend sponsors many events, in which all students can participate and mingle with faculty, staff, fellow students, and community members of all kinds of races. As a result, interracial ties Snowball dance returns to Behrend by Will Jordan editor in cheif The 1999 Snowball Dance will be held March 19 in Erie Hall from Bpm to midnight. The dance began as an annual event years ago that slowly disappeared. This year Student Activities and Lion Ambassadors decided to reincorporate the dance into an annual Behrend event. The Snowball Dance is a semi formal occasion. Tickets are $3 per person and $5 per couple and can be purchased at the Rub Desk. Like homecoming dances, there will be a Snowball Queen and King that will be crowned at the dance. Nominations were collected during are formed and begin relationships that last for a lifetime. Jason Morales, stated,"College is all about meeting different types of people, especially by living and learning all about them. I’m cool with everyone.” Demeca Howard, 02, BLASC, stated, “My personal interaction with people outside my race is positive because I went to a high school where there were only thirty black students out of 900. So I’m used to it and I get along with everybody." Ken Miller, Interim Dean of Students, stated, “Here at Behrend the residence halls offer a great opportunity for diverse interactions because of the closeness. In a classroom, you can’t really speak to each other.” John Veri, 08 MIS stated “I don’t give a f*** what color vou are. I’m sure it matters for some people, but f*** it.” On the other hand, some students feel differently. "A interracial the week fromboth students and clubs The nominees for King are George Calvin, 10 EET, Darren Italiani, an undergraduate in Gen Arts and Sciences, Karl Gressley, an undergraduate BLASC major, and Eric Moore, 04 Plastics. Moore stated "I was nominated by the treasurer for SPC, Lori Viola. I was kind of surprised by the nomination but it was very nice and 1 am excited." The nominees for Queen are Jill Page, an undergraduate in Bio, Jackie Sanfratello, an undergrad in Business, Katie Weigold. 02 Humanities and Social Sciences, Maria Colvin, an undergraduate in MIS, Leslie Dickinson, 02 Plastics, and Sara Lawrence, 04 Psych. Dickinson said, relationship is hard to establish at Bchrend. I think that in some places it exists comfortably and in other places, it’s more tense. It is inevitable that these relationships exist because the problem of racism still exists. The community and even the world views what people think." stated Kery Hinkson, 07 English. Kyung Hong, 02 Comm, stated "My boyfriend is Columbian. Personally, I think you can fall in love with anyone. Some people are open-minded, especially Koreans. Those people who aren’t as open-minded see going out with a Columbian as weird. They think we are not good enough Columbians. It's kind of hard for us. No matter how good they are, that’s the w ay they see it.” In the words of Michael Jackson, “If you’re thinking about being mv brother, it don't matter if you're black or white “A friend of mine nominated me. I wasn't planning on going to the dance until 1 was nominated. It was a surprise.” Lawrence said. "My sorority. Alpha Sigma. Alpha, nominated me. I'm looking toi ward to having a good time at the dance and I am extremely honored to be nominated. I hope that it is good PR for greeks.” The voting for the nominees of the Snowball royalty will take place on March 17-19 from 11 am to 4pm in the Reed Wintergarden. Any students can vote. They will have to present their ID in order to vote for King and Queen. CALk '* f--••/• 17 ' MO FEE-4U TO APPLY, OR r ' OUR WEBSITE i i^WVU.AMIERICANEXPRESS.COM/STUDfJ^Y News A look in the Multi-CulturalCouncil office Thursday March 4, 1999 - The Behrend College Beacon - Page 3 ■ THE LOGAN WINTERGARDEN SERIES CHATHAM BAROQUE TUESDAY, MARCH 16 BRING YOUR LUNCH TO THE PENN STATE BEHREND WINTERGARDEN AND ENJOY WORLD CLASS PERFORMANCES IN AN INFORMAL SE7T/NG. ADMISSION IS FREE PENN photo by Mike Frawley TATE jgErie College
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