A performance on issues ranging from interracial dating to language barriers, titled the Chamber of Hatred, brought together various multicultural organizations for Unity Week. Students from the Asian American Student Association, Black Student Association, Latino Student Union and Spectrum participated in original skits Wednesday night.
"This event is all-encompassing," Spectrum President Zac Davis said. "It's stereotypes mixed with facts, set in daily-life situations."
Davis directed the event and has also coordinated this type of program for Spectrum's PROUD week. Including other groups on this type of performance provides the opportunity for more people to be aware of issues others are facing, Davis said. Among the skits performed, some were based on participants' own experiences.
The language barrier can be a source of misunderstanding between groups, Alinna Nieto, president of the Latino Student Union, said. Nieto, who was born in Mexico and later moved to Indiana, said while in middle school she was criticized by other students for speaking Spanish and told to go back to her country. She portrayed a similar experience in a performance with fellow LSU member and Vice President Sarra Trevino-Norris.
"This is so common that I felt that it needed to be addressed," Nieto said.
In the skit, Nieto said she responded with a cultural confidence that she did not always recognize. Norris, whose mother is Mexican, said her perspective came from growing up in a home where her father did not want Spanish to be spoken because he did not understand it.
"It just shows that intolerance can come from anywhere, and most people just need to get a better understanding of different cultures," Norris said.
Besides skits, junior Anthony Amstutz performed a monologue written by Davis. His performance included statistics about gay and lesbian suicide rates. The performers set the scene by shouting anti-gay chants while he performed. He questioned misconceptions of homosexuality and urged the audience to be open-minded. He said he wanted viewers not to see homosexual as a label, but to see the actual person.
"I am just one of the six billion people in this world," Amstutz said. "I have feelings and I am a person just like everyone else."
After seeing the performances, viewers gathered outside for a group discussion to reflect on what they had just seen. Carla Cadet, assistant residence hall director in LaFollette Hall, guided the discussion. She said Davis asked her to participate and moderate the dialogue.
"We want to encourage the discussion and for them to express how they feel after seeing the skit in order to relate and share their feelings," Cadet said.
Cadet said students will encounter different cultures outside of the Ball State setting and maybe this open dialogue will aid in their acceptance. During the talk, junior Jonika Burns echoed Cadet's thoughts.
"Many people haven't stepped outside of their community or comfortable environment," Burns said. "People develop these generalizations without really knowing and don't see people as individuals."
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