Voices of Unity


Thursday, April 2, 1998	`Voices of Unity` Unity Days chance for togetherness At the beginning of our careers as students in elementary school, when we are taught the history of the United States of America, we are told that our country is this great magical melting pot. We're all different in one way or another. And as different as we are, we all share some commonalties.
Greglynn Walton (gdw104@psu.edu) and Teraya White (tdw129@psu.edu) are members of the Multicultural Resource Center Student Advisory Board.	First, we're all human, and that's the greatest commonality. And in acknowledging this, one would have to ask, "What gives one human being the right to determine or label another human being as inferior, subhuman or merely some type of animal to be treated in any cruel, inhumane or derogatory manner?" Second, some of us join organizations with the intention of celebrating "sisterhood and/or brotherhood," disregarding the true meaning of these words by not embracing one another regardless of ability, affiliation, race/ethnicity, culture, economic background, gender or sexual orientation. But, the point is, in order for us to become this "melting pot" that we're taught we live in, we must embrace each other, blend together, work together to create it, not perpetuate hate.
*"First, we're all human, and that's the greatest commonality."*	The University community is one example. There are differences of race/ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation and ability. Unity Days is an event that celebrates these differences that co-exist on this campus and in our society. Everyone's differences have a right to be celebrated individually, but Unity Days is an occasion for people to show that not only that they celebrate these differences and recognize them, but most importantly, they respect them. Many people on this campus argue that the University community is becoming too separate. Unity Days is important to the University community because it is a chance for people to participate in an event which is inclusive to everyone. Unity Days is not about the I or ME. It's not a me thing, a you thing or a black thing, a white thing, a gay thing, a straight thing, a woman thing, a man thing or an able-bodied thing . . . but an "US THING!" We ask you to think about the "US THING" and participate in Unity Days April 13 to 15 and the Walk for Humanity on April 18, which is for ALL OF US!

Unity Days chance for togetherness