Culture on display

Invigorating and lively music showcasing everything from swing dancing, belly dancing and bongo-playing echoed throughout the IU campus late Thursday afternoon as the flavorful aroma of chicken, popcorn, rice, egg rolls and even tiramisu filled the air around Showalter Fountain.\nThe third annual CultureFest drew a record-setting 2,600 students -- during the auditorium segment alone.\nMuch of the incoming freshmen class entered the IU Auditorium for the first time, and it was evident from the loud applause and upbeat cheering that the new Hoosiers were excited to be a part of CultureFest 2002.\nBefore the outdoor festivities kicked off, the night began with a welcome speech from Gloria Gibson, associate chancellor for multicultural affairs. Gibson stressed the importance of diversity on IU's campus and encouraged all students to attend a culture center or ethnic restaurant during their stay at IU. \nAs the lights dimmed and a video showcasing IU's long-standing history began, many students appeared amazed that the campus once consisted of only two buildings. Students snickered when a slide was projected showing the football team playing on what now is the IMU parking lot.\nIU Bloomington Chancellor Sharon Brehm spoke at the event, and aside from welcoming the new class, also explained that after the Sept. 11 attacks, it is even more important for students to learn about and value the differences of others.\n"You are the first class to enter college after the terrorist attacks," Brehm told the audience. "You enter IU knowing the world has changed drastically, and you must consider yourself both a citizen of the U.S. and of the world. Human beings have different genders, religions, nationalities, sexual orientations, perspectives and socioeconomic backgrounds, and so the only way to understand them is to get to know people one by one."\nEmmy award-winning producer Ray Blanco subsequently took the stage and expanded on Brehm's message about diversity, tolerance and reactions after Sept. 11.\n"Last year I saw what happened when people hate," Blanco said. "Two days after the attacks I saw hate once again, and it happened when people viciously attacked Arab-Americans."\nBlanco, who moved to the U.S. from Cuba at the age of seven, now lives in New Jersey and works in New York City. Blanco lost friends and colleagues who worked in the twin towers. \n"I hope you leave Indiana University with a better understanding of what makes us tick and who we are, because diversity means so much more than just black or Hispanic," Blanco said. "It's about Jews, Scandinavians, Irish, Germans. It's about everyone, and that's what our country really thrives on."\nStudents then filtered out of the auditorium and received tickets to attend the different food booths set up by the cultural centers. Students had their hands full with such treats as ice cream, nachos, hamburgers, egg rolls, chicken and pizza. Along with the food, many student organizations and culture centers handed out flyers and calendars with upcoming events. \n"I think it's the coolest thing that my linguistics professor from last year is up there singing lead with the Afro-Hoosiers International," said sophomore Sonal Aggarwal, pointing toward the stage. "I think CultureFest is a great event since it's at the beginning of the year, and it's nice to see the different groups coming together."\nAs people of all ethnicities, races and backgrounds schmoozed with others outside in the Fine Arts Plaza while eating foods from countries around the world, Blanco's words almost mirrored the scene around the Showalter Fountain.\n"If here in Indiana we can have white, black, Asian, Muslim and Jewish students all in one room, those people who attacked the U.S. really didn't understand us at all," he said.