2008 Woodie Awards
Personal experience gives insight to others
Stephanie South
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
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Gabrielle White, a sophomore communication major, attended the Student Representative Council's "Speak Truth, Not Ignorance" presentation in the University Center ballrooms because her sister was part of one of the skits. White said she has never had to deal with anything like the issues that were being discussed.
"I have heard stories," White said. "But I have never personally experienced anything."
Many students share White's story. Some are even convinced that our campus doesn't have diversity problems. However, the stories shared at the diversity panel are proof that discrimination and prejudice against all people are alive and well within the UNC student body.
"Speak Truth, Not Ignorance" was founded last year by SRC President Rico Wint, but was organized this year by Vice President of Diverse Relations for SRC Justin Puckett. It was the ignorance of some students concerning these issues that led Wint to believe a change was necessary and that this change could come about through hearing each other.
"I was just meeting a lot of people that seemed to be really ignorant," Wint said. "People were saying a lot of crazy things. I just wished someone could tell people, 'this is what I go through. This is what happens to my culture on a daily basis.'"
Wednesday night's event featured a panel made up of different students representing different ethnicities, non-traditional students and disabled students. The panelists created skits or told personal anecdotes concerning issues of prejudice or discrimination that have affected them.
Several speakers also made an appearance to address the issues at hand, including, multicultural and Hispanic studies professor Dr. Enrique Maestas and guest speaker Dr. Hermon George Jr.
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