by Rivkela Brodsky
Daily Lobo
A group of minority students rallied at the SUB mall Thursday asking for the University and students to support multiculturalism on campus.
About 30 students gathered to listen to talks, poems and drumming - all emphasizing that UNM students should speak up for minorities.
"As African-Americans we're so small - we can make a loud noise, but we need our brothers and sisters to support us," said Michelle Touson, a graduate student and speaker at the event.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
She said UNM is not diverse and used the statues in front of the SUB as an example.
The statues are supposed to represent UNM, but don't, Touson said.
She stressed that students should educate themselves about other cultures and talk to each other about diversity problems on campus.
"While you're here, let's leave your mark," she said. "Leave a mark to stop ignorance. It's hard to tear down a temple of ignorance."
She requested students ask for more culturally inclusive classes.
"This is not a black issue," she said. "Don't think it won't flip and happen to Latinos, Native Americans. Don't think it won't happen to you."
Again, she asked students to fight ignorance.
"I need your voice. Please be my voice," she said.
Student Negwes White stepped up to the microphone and performed spoken word about being an American-Indian student at UNM.
Student Travis McKenzie had to lower the microphone after White's performance.
"When a Chicano comes out here, they have to adjust the mic," he said jokingly.
McKenzie, who played saxophone in between speaking, said he hopes the movement will continue to grow.
"Just listening is being active," he said to the crowd.
He said the rally was about community expression.
Student Laura Hernandez said the rally was helpful in educating others.
"It's a great way for them to express themselves," she said.
Student Jason Goodman described the rally as a kaleidoscope of culture.
"It's great exercising a lot of diversity," he said. "I believe strongly in civil rights."
He also stressed education as important to change.
Kim Stevenson, an organizer of the event, said the rally is part of a movement to unify the University. She said African-American students are getting the slack on campus.
As far as diversity on campus, Stevenson said there isn't much, even though all students pay the same to go to UNM.
"We are UNM," said Tim Green, another organizer of the event. "We own these bricks. We pay for it."
He said UNM needs to have more cultural events and publicize them.
"This will not be the last rally or march until there's a change at UNM," Green said.
