One cafeteria, two worlds

On Monday, black students gathered at their usual spot in the Indiana Memorial Union, a small group of tables on the South side of the cafeteria. Other students filled in the rest of the tables. "It's rare to see black and white students sitting at the same table," senior Nekeda McClure said.\n"You sit where you feel comfortable sitting," said McClure, who was sitting with a group of black friends in the cafeteria. "For black people, when you come in here, that's where you're going to sit because that's where all the black people are."\nInterim Vice-Chancellor of Academic Support and Diversity Edwardo Rhodes said the self-segregation in the Union is not unique to IU.\n"It's a nationwide phenomenon," Rhodes said. "You're talking about changing some major cultural reference points. That's a big thing to ask people. You're not going to force it. When you're eating you just want to eat. You want to relax. You're going to sit where you can feel relaxed."\nSigns reading "Reserved" used to sit on top of a set of tables in the IMU, marking off the area where black students were required to eat and socialize. It's been more than 60 years since Herman B Wells had those signs removed, but a quick glance into the IMU's cafeteria during lunchtime any day of the week will show IU still has a long way to go to reach full integration.\n"Conversations on Race" is one example of the programs IU uses to help foster cross-racial conversations on campus, Rhodes said. He said the program might not affect hundreds of people at once, but over time, it helps break down barriers. The next "Conversations on Race" retreat is April 3. Students can register by sending an e-mail to cor@indiana.edu.\nMcClure's sentiment was echoed by others in the cafeteria, both black and white. \n"I don't think it's a conscious decision," said sophomore Katie Walton, who is white. "People migrate to people who are similar to them." \nAnother white student, senior Dianna Speisman spoke for many students of both races when she said the cafeteria's self-segregation reminded her of her high school. Speisman said IU does have some diversity, but she thought the University could do more. \nJunior Stephanie Walden, who is black, said she thinks many white students think IU is diverse enough. She told the story of a recent class in which students discussed diversity on campus.\n"Everyone in the class said IU was very diverse," Walden said. Walden said the only classes with significant black enrollment are African American Studies courses.\nMcClure said because of their smaller numbers, black students tend to gravitate to one another in class. She also said the small number of other black students in her classes sometimes makes her feel she must act as a spokeswoman for her entire race.\n"You have to be that person to defend or educate," said McClure.\nThe self-segregation goes beyond the cafeteria and the classroom. Black and white students said they seldomly interact socially with each other.\n"I have some (white) associates, but I don't really hang out with them as much as people who look like me," junior Tyrone Allen said. \nFreshman Libby Spille is from the small, predominately white town of Granville, Ohio. She said for many students from smaller rural communities like hers, IU seems diverse.\n"It's all about your frame of reference," said (Spille's friend,) sophomore Nick Clifton. He added that IU's large international student population helps add diversity to the campus.\nWhile many students would agree IU could work harder to create diversity and foster conversation between black and white students, most students couldn't think of concrete actions they would recommend to the administration.\nRhodes said he thinks IU is improving and it will take time before racial barriers in this country completely come down.\n"You can't do miracles," he said.\n-- Contact staff writer Daniel Wells at djwells@indiana.edu.