The opening event of Diversity Days featured deep introspection, unique role-playing and a chance to learn about different religions.
Centered around the theme "Religious Studies," the first evening set aside to celebrate diversity on campus drew about 100 people to the Power Center last night.
After students were introduced to different religious groups on campus through informational tables, English Prof. Ralph Williams, director of the Program on Studies in Religion, gave a thunderous commentary on how religion relates to diversity on campus. Following Williams' lecture, three University performing arts troupes amused the audience with realistic scenes depicting the stereotypes that often surface in minorities' daily lives.
Williams said the word "religion" encompasses a wide variety of meanings. "On my understanding, religion does not necessarily involve an affirmation of God," he said.
Throughout his remarks, Williams referred frequently to renowned writers, including Plato, Socrates and Emily Dickinson.
Williams, a former winner of the Golden Apple Award for undergraduate teaching, said the journey to find one's religion is often confusing.
"Is God one?" Williams asked. "And is there but one way to that mystery? Not by one way alone does one come to so great a mystery," he said, strongly enunciating each word.
Williams said the University, although diverse, still must accomplish much more in order to be a true "community."
"Our tendency is to stay within ourselves, within our community," he said.
"We do not have, in the inner sense, 'community.' The question which is before us is how we can form a community which is and will remain diverse," Williams said.
Williams said if people continue to regard each other with animosity, the end result could be violence.
"I suggest that we take the responsibility for making the lines of differences not ones of violence, but ones of love," he said.
Students gave positive comments about Williams' presentation. "I really liked it. I think he's very enthusiastic about his subject," said Engineering junior Janet Booth. "He also brings in a lot of different references. It broadens the spectrum a lot and shows a lot of different aspects."
LSA first-year student Molly Buchsieb said she enjoyed when Williams talked about how "it's not necessary that you pick a religion, but that you love humanity itself."
Diversity Days continues tomorrow with the theme "Gender Issues." Dr. Susan Peterman, a radiologist from Emory University will speek in Angell Hall Auditorium C at 7 p.m., and the film "The Joy Luck Club" will follow her presentation.
ADDIE SMITH/Daily
An Indian dancer gets ready to perform a traditional cultural dance at the Diversity Days celebration. Yesterday kicked off the first day of Diversity Days, a new program to celebrate different cultures.