"Jim lost his scholarship to a nigger. They don't deserve any special treatment. I'm not a racist, but . . ."

At this point, I tuned out the two students talking in low voices at the back of the classroom. In my four years at Penn State, I've heard slurs like this so many times, it makes me sick. It seems all I can do is clench my fists in silent rage and complain to myself about the gross ignorance prevalent on this campus. It is not just a Black and White issue. Ignorance extends its grimy claws to almost every minority group in society, touching men, women, gays, straights, people of color and different religious and ethnic backgrounds. My voice is not strong enough to speak out against this alone. I only wish I could find others who share my concerns and frustrations. The voice of one is a whisper. The voices of many are a roar . . .

Do these problems anger you? Do you want to do something about them? Are you interested in educating the Penn State community about diversity issues?

The office of the vice provost for educational equity offers a solution with Project Growth -- a University-sponsored organization designed to educate and facilitate discussions about diversity and minority concerns. Members are rigorously trained to evaluate the concerns of the diverse ethnic make-up of the Penn State society. Project Growth regularly designs programs for the general public that promote awareness and help abolish ignorance.

I would like to invite you to add your voices to those who shout out against ignorance and injustice. All this week, there will be a membership drive at the HUB basement tables. Feel free to stop by, talk to our members and pick up an application. Together, our voices will augment each other and our collective outcries will sound throughout the Penn State campus.