CultureFest celebrates campus diversity

About 2,000 students flooded the IU Auditorium and surrounding area Thursday for CultureFest, a celebration of IU's diversity. The Welcome Week event showcased a variety of opinions and talents from student perspectives.\nAn eight-minute video highlighting IU's history was shown in the Auditorium, followed by a speech about diversity and acceptance by author, journalist and historian Kevin Powell, a cast member of MTV's original "The Real World."\nFollowing the talk, nine groups performed outside, including the IU Swing Club and Alma Azul.\nCultureFest was "a real eye-opener," said freshman Joelle Petrus.\n"I haven't really been exposed to some things," she said. "I think it's really good that the University has this program. It teaches tolerance. I didn't get this in my high school."\nStudents stood in line at a booth for free henna tattoos. There were also tents where campus groups informed students of campus diversity and cultural resources. Students ate hamburgers, ethnic foods, snow cones and beverages by redeeming free tickets distributed after Powell's speech.\nThe event was a success, said Melanie Payne, associate director of Orientation Programs and Welcome Week.\n"Part of my goal for this is that they get out and learn about the resources of the University," Payne said. "Even if they don't know it, they learned something."\nThe overall intent of CultureFest was to educate students, she said.\n"We wanted it to be celebratory -- a celebration of who we are as a University and a society," Payne said. "We also wanted it to have a point and be more than a block party."\nPowell was selected as speaker to tie the activities together, Payne said.\n"His currency and contemporary experience was really attractive," she said. "Somebody like Kevin can sure have more of an impact than, say, an administrator from campus."\nPowell, the author of four books, urged first-year students to allow themselves to change.\n"Don't be the same person four years from now as you are today," he said during his speech. "I challenge you all to think. Read and study everything you can get your hands on. Be willing to leave your comfort zone."\nPowell addressed diversity and respect-related issues, and expressed disappointment for people who remain culturally ignorant.\n"You cannot call yourself an American if you don't know any American history," he said. "You all have to understand, the leadership that we're waiting for is you guys."\nPowell, who speaks at universities, prisons and other venues, said he enjoyed presenting at Welcome Week because of the impact upon new students.\nAfter the talk, Powell sold and signed copies of his 1997 novel "Keeping It Real," which reflects on both modern and historical issues. He held conversations with several fans and gave his e-mail address to people who sought his advice.\n"I love people. This is what I'm blessed to be able to do," he said. "To me, I want to use notoriety for some public good."\nSitting with friends by Showalter Fountain while a salsa band played, freshman Marcus Styles said the event gave him a better understanding of people -- who they are and where they're from. It also gave him the opportunity to explore campus and meet new people.\n"It makes you feel more welcome," he said.