For some, racism is more than just black and white.

That was the message delivered last night to about 40 students at the "Caldo de Culturas." The event was sponsored by Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity, Latino Caucus, the Puerto Rican Student Association and the National Hispanic Business Association.

Sigma Lambda Beta Secretary Wellington Echegaray said the name "Caldo de Culturas" was representative of the variety of people that make up Latin American culture.

"The event was focused on showing students the empowerment that can lie in the diversity of our culture," he said.

"Latin Americans are far more than just Mexicans or Cubans, and we want people to realize that," Echegaray added.

The event's speaker was Laurence Prescott, a professor of Spanish and African-American studies, who talked about the intra-racial prejudice that exists between many Latin American cultures.

"Groups of people who have been the object of oppression often end up turning against themselves," he said. "This is especially true in Latino cultures, where lighter skinned people are often considered to be wealthier and more educated."

Julio Ortiz (graduate-information sciences and technology) said he could identify with Prescott's message.

"I have relatives that are of both Haitian and Dominican descent," he said. "I've seen that racism is much more open there than in America, where it is more of a taboo. People there are not afraid to say what they think or make comments about other races."

Prescott said the problem of intra-racism has gradually improved, but is far from being completely gone.

"Before any real change can take place, people need to become educated about where people have come from and how similar we all really are," he said. "We also need to become better communicators and learn how to talk openly with each other."

Sigma Lambda Beta President Michael Villacorta said the "Caldo de Culturas" event was important because it brought the issue of intra-racism to a new audience.

"Most people tend to think that racism only exists between black and white people," he said.

"It is important for everyone to realize the great deal of racism that takes place between people of differing Latin cultures," Villacorta added.

In addition to Prescott's speech, the event also included a round of discussions in the Race Relations Project, designed to get students to become more open about their race and how it affects their lives.

"Tonight, we just got together in groups of 10 and let everyone talk about their racial experiences and the impact of racism in their lives," said Race Relations Project facilitator Norman Bonano. "We didn't really have a specific agenda or planned topics."

Raquel Jones (sophomore-premedicine) said she found the "Caldo de Culturas" event "enlightening" and she hoped that it would help improve the racial stereotyping that she and others face.

"I think that things have definitely gotten better, but we are far from where we need to be," she said. "Events like this help to keep me alive for the future."