Athletes conduct experiment to display effects of racism

500 student-athletes participate in segregation activity

By Erin Holmes
Daily Staff Reporter

University athletes were given the opportunity to experience segregation first-hand at Cliff Keen Arena yesterday.

As part of a program consisting of short skits and monologues presented by 35 student representatives from a variety of varsity sports, the audience of about 500 student-athletes were seated according to height.

The tall and short athletes who attended were allowed to sit in the front of the arena, while those who were "average" height were pushed to the back.

During the event, those sitting in the front were treated to lollipops and soda, while those in the back sipped from cups of water.

Michigan football player Terrence Quinn, who helped produced yesterday's program, said the event aimed to remind students of the adversity black people have faced.

"I am sure the experiment will change some minds about what really went on during Martin Luther King's struggle," Quinn said.

Athletic Director Tom Goss said the program gave athletes an opportunity to share with each other what segregation is all about. He added that similar events should be sponsored at least three times a year.

Aaron Walter, a Michigan wrestler, said all members of his team were encouraged to be present at the event.

Walter said the event would be a good way to show the negative side of segregation, but he admitted he did not feel that racial tensions were high among University athletes.

"There's no real separation in the athletics here because there's so many minorities involved," Walter said.

In addition to the segregation experiment, the program highlighted events from King's life, and silhouetted athletes and faculty who were personally involved in the struggle for equality during the '50s and '60s.

Dwayne Fuqua, a track athlete who gave the closing remarks, said that black athletes still face an up-hill climb.

"When people see a black athlete representing a predominately white university, they assume that's the only reason they're there," Fuqua said.

"They don't see black athletes the same as they see whites," Fuqua said.

Greg Malicke, a Michigan hockey player, said while he has never been closed-minded in his athletic career, the program still opened his eyes.

"It got to me when I couldn't drink soda and had to get water instead," Malicke said.

Fuqua ended the program by pointing out that "there are a lot of forms of segregation - it's not just color anymore."

01-20-98