Penny Lawrence | Correspondent
Diversity Education Week started Sunday, October 16th, and will continue until Saturday, the 22nd. It was started by the students at the university, and has been recognized annually on campus since 2011.
According to the NC State website, “Diversity Education Week serves to promote awareness and understanding of our nation and world’s diverse cultures and foster intercultural understanding through a collection of engaging opportunities including lectures, workshops, panel and group discussions, information sessions, film, food, music, dance and more.”
Nyla Ruiz, a senior in biological sciences and the Diversity Activities Board Chair for Union Activities Board (UAB), describes diversity as “understanding that we as people are all very different and unique. We come from different backgrounds and I think our differences should be something we acknowledge and embrace, not frown upon.
“Although we should acknowledge diversity everyday, Diversity Education Week was specifically designed to have week-long events that bring awareness to the various aspects of diversity,” Ruiz said.
One of the many events held Monday was “Ujima: The Beauty in Unity.” It was hosted by the Mu Omicron chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated in the free expression tunnel from noon until 2:00pm. It gave students the opportunity to express themselves through painting the free expression tunnel. They practiced the Kwanzaa principle Ujima to bring together the campus community.
Tuesday in Witherspoon Student Center, there was a discussion called “Diversity is a Compelling Interest: The Use of Race in Admissions.” This discussion explained the methods used for diversity in admissions. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions was present.
On Wednesday, the Multicultural Greek Council will be in One Earth Lounge discussing this upcoming Halloween. Their annual “Our Culture is NOT a Costume” will start at 8:00pm and will teach students how to choose socially and culturally respectful Halloween costumes.
In Talley Student Union on Thursday, one of the events will be “How to Facilitate Difficult Dialogue.” Its intent is to instill cultural competency in the students that attend. They will discuss how to approach difficult subjects as well as many other strategies.
On Friday, there will be “Chinese Classical Dance” in Witherspoon. It will start at 6:30pm and end at 9:00pm. This event is an interactive dance class. It will be taught by a professional dance instructor from China.
Saturday, the last day of the Diversity Education Week, the Dr. Lonnie Smith Trio will be having a discussion and performance in Talley. The discussion will begin before the performance, starting at 7:00pm in room 3222 while the performance commences at 8:00pm in Stewart Theatre.
Ruiz said that in light of recent events, “I do think it is very important to discuss what diversity is, the many facets it encompasses. It doesn’t only apply to race like many people think when they hear diversity, and how we can be more inclusive and culturally competent.”
In total, there will be forty nine events that can be attended. Some require R.S.V.P. All of the events described, and more, can be found on the DEW calendar of events listed on the school website. There are events all over campus, and at all times of day. Because of the wide array of events, students have many options to find something that interests them.
For more information on Diversity Education Week and a full schedule of events, visit oied.ncsu.edu/diversity/dew-calendar
