Diversity Week brings culture

Student Services hosts events to foster understanding

By Stacey Palmieri | gargoyle@flagler.edu

Diversity is being recognized this February at Flagler College with a Holocaust survivor guest speaker, along with many other culturally educational presentations.

Feb. 23 to 27 will be celebrated culture-style with the first Diversity Week. Hosted by Student Services, the event will be “a showcase of different cultures,” Kristin Nelson, director of Student Activities, said.

All events hosted are free for students and faculty of Flagler College. The goal of the week is to “expose students to cultures they might not be familiar with,” director of the Ringhaver Student Center Grant Nielson said.

Holocaust survivor Kurt Maier, will speak about his personal experience as a Jewish child in Nazi Germany. The event is Thursday, Feb. 26 in the Virginia Room.

The weeklong event will include cultural movies, food and speakers. The movies being shown “were made over-seas but were popular here,” Nielson said. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and City of God are some movies that will hit the big screen in the Gamache—Koger Theater on Friday, Feb. 27 for the event.

The domestic film Crash will also be featured.

A group of Native Americans who travel to discuss how media negatively influence their culture will present a showcase in the breezeway on Monday, Feb. 23. An African-American history tour will take place through the city in honor of Black History Month. The tour will meet in front of the Ringhaver Student Center on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 4 p.m.

The dining hall staff will also participate in Diversity Week. Each night will feature different cultural cuisines, including Italian, middle-eastern, European, Latin and Asian food throughout the week.

Clubs including Active Minds, Club Oye and Club UNITY are brainstorming what they will contribute towards the event with nothing yet set in stone.

Club Oye President Devin Vache is still in the planning process, but would like to have Latin dance instruction and samples of different Latin foods.

The Coin and Currency Club will display coins from all over the world and discussing the worth, origin and history.
“I’m looking forward to Diversity Week to foster a sense of understanding among others who may be different from us. A little understanding is all it takes to allow for simple respect of others,” Club UNITY President Chris Lauth said.

The idea for Diversity Week originated when Nielson and Nelson decided they wanted to do more themed, weeklong events on campus. Alcohol Awareness week was one example of these events.

“It’s important for us to collaborate with students, faculty and clubs in order to put something on for the school,” Nelson said.