Organizations embrace diversity

By Jordana Tusman

A crowd gathered in the Bart Luedeke Center (BLC) Cavalla Room on Thursday, Nov. 17, to see “Diversity is Beautiful,” a program that featured an open forum and a variety of skits portraying stereotypes and how to embrace diversity.

The skits were performed by several organizations at Rider and the night was put together and hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA) Diversity Chair Daphy Lahens, a junior.

“I wanted students that attended to gain an awareness of stereotypes and negative perceptions that people have toward one another,” said Lahens. “It was a vision of SGA to co-sponsor with other organizations to build bonds as students, and I think this event was a step toward that process.”

After a catered dinner of sandwiches and cookies, students took their seats and watched as one by one, each organization portrayed its version of how stereotypes might affect others.

“I went to the program because I’m interested in seeing how the University feels about racism and diversity,” said sophomore Mike Scuilli. “Being a white male, I don’t see too much segregation, so I’m always curious to see how the University feels.”

The members of the Women’s Center set up a situation where women of different races and ethnicities were interviewed for a job, and left the interview early as a result of
the interviewer’s unfair stereotyping.

“When we designed the skit, we came up with many stereotypes that people used, that I think we surprised ourselves at how easily or how susceptible we were to buying into them,” said the president of Women’s Center, senior Josanne Sampson.

In a skit performed by the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA), members offered their presentation of how homosexuals are viewed as gossips who love to wear women’s clothing and have drag shows.

“We decided that portraying [GSA] students as being discriminated against and hated would not be accurate since the Rider community is supportive of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] students,” said GSA president, sophomore Matthew Hanson. “We decided to [show] the stereotypes that LGBT students are cliquey, promiscuous, and talk about each other.”

The night ended after the six performances with an open forum on what the audience saw and learned.

“I hope the Rider community can really start to enjoy our diversity and tolerate each other’s differences,” said Hanson. “That is what makes this campus so beautiful and such a great school to attend.”