Spring Break
Campus cultural center offers a diverse orientation
Kimberly Tsao
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: News
Balinton said that being able to identify with people who have similar values or cultural beliefs within your race or cultural background helps those people graduate and learn more about themselves throughout their college experience.
"If I'm the only brown-skinned in the class, my professor knows when I am present or not present," he said. "(When) an issue comes up that's African-American, I feel like the weight automatically shifts on me, or most people, like, look at me."
Balinton, said he not only went to the African-American reception but the Latino/Chicano one as well. He said he would have gone to the Asian Pacific Islander event if he didn't have a class at the same time.
Hara said anyone can come to any of the receptions - regardless of race.
The turnout at the Latino/Chicano reception has been "steady," Hara said, and the African-American reception retains the best attendance. Although the reception for Asian Pacific Islanders has the smallest attendance, she said it's no less significant.
"It's problematic because it's an important space," Hara said. "We hope that students will want to come."
Hara said the events remain separated so full respect and appreciation can be given to each heritage.
"I'm not sure the culture would be honored if we … make that one large reception," Hara said.
She said the center doesn't hold a Caucasian or European reception because in the past, they were the colonizers.
"Historically, there was so much oppression where folks from these populations were not allowed to celebrate culture," Hara said.
Filipino-American student William Escobar looks at it differently.
"Separation by anything, according to history, didn't work out," said Escobar, a senior mechanical engineering major.
"If I'm the only brown-skinned in the class, my professor knows when I am present or not present," he said. "(When) an issue comes up that's African-American, I feel like the weight automatically shifts on me, or most people, like, look at me."
Balinton, said he not only went to the African-American reception but the Latino/Chicano one as well. He said he would have gone to the Asian Pacific Islander event if he didn't have a class at the same time.
Hara said anyone can come to any of the receptions - regardless of race.
The turnout at the Latino/Chicano reception has been "steady," Hara said, and the African-American reception retains the best attendance. Although the reception for Asian Pacific Islanders has the smallest attendance, she said it's no less significant.
"It's problematic because it's an important space," Hara said. "We hope that students will want to come."
Hara said the events remain separated so full respect and appreciation can be given to each heritage.
"I'm not sure the culture would be honored if we … make that one large reception," Hara said.
She said the center doesn't hold a Caucasian or European reception because in the past, they were the colonizers.
"Historically, there was so much oppression where folks from these populations were not allowed to celebrate culture," Hara said.
Filipino-American student William Escobar looks at it differently.
"Separation by anything, according to history, didn't work out," said Escobar, a senior mechanical engineering major.
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