The weather and a small turnout for the Unity March did not upset student organizations that went out and marched during the first of several events for this year's Unity Week.
Ball State's Multicultural Center, in conjunction with Spectrum, Latino Student Union, Black Student Association, Asian American Student Association and other groups organized a series of events that go from Monday to Sunday.
This year's theme is "I Have a Dream ... What's yours?" and some of the events will tie with the theme throughout the week.
In the Unity March, students walked from the Multicultural Center down McKinley Avenue and turned on Riverside Avenue to head back to the Multicultural Center. More than 50 students, faculty members and Muncie residents met at 4 p.m. for the march. The walk only lasted a few minutes, followed by a brief speech from Patricia Lovett, director of the Multicultural Center.
"The march made me realize and appreciate all that happened for us to be able to walk along with somebody and sit with somebody," she said.
Lovett said some of the students that participated in the march had been doing community service all day. Other students, however, just participated to give support.
Senior photojournalism major Joseph Garnett said he has participated in other Unity Week events and was a big supporter of the Unity Pageant, but this was the first time he has participated in the march.
"I think it was a great turnout," he said. "Although the number of people was people was small, they were united, and that shows how even a small group of people can make a difference."
Graduate student Deona Hatley said that although not many people participated in the march, she hoped they supported the cause.
"Overall this day represents a good cause, so whether you marched or not, it doesn't matter," she said. "What's important is that you support the cause."
The highlight event of Unity Week is speaker Mary Frances Berry, who was appointed as commissioner of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights but was fired by President Ronald Reagan for criticizing his policies. After suing Reagan and winning reinstatement, Berry was designated chairwoman of the Civil Rights Commission and resigned in 2004.
To close Unity Week, the Multicultural Center and other student organizations will hold the Unity Pageant in Pruis Hall at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Junior marketing major Courtney Gainey said she hopes to exceed the expectations of those attending, and to grow from the Unity Pageants in the past few years.
"I hope everyone sees how much work we put in the last two months," she said. "I'd also like to see more diversity among the audience."
Hatley, who plans to attend and support her peers at the pageant, said she hopes to see a good turnout.
"Overall, we want for the audience to enjoy the show and be more supportive," she said.
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