P.E.A.C.E. Day
Elise Arvidson
Issue date: 10/2/08 Section: News
On Sept. 27 students were given the opportunity to attend P.E.A.C.E. Day, an event put on by the re-christened Office of Intercultural Relations (OIR). Featuring different on-campus bands and speakers, P.E.A.C.E. Day was meant to have an informal atmosphere in a comfortable setting.
Originally instituted by the U.N., P.E.A.C.E. stands for Promoting Ethnic And Cultural Equality, and is intended to be an event where students of all different ethnicities can come together.
"This is Spring Arbor University's first [P.E.A.C.E. Day], of course," said Jasmine Washington, member of the OIR and group leader of the CCAT branch. "We want it to eventually get bigger."
Throughout the event, which was held at the Fireside, the group leaders of smaller branches within the OIR presented their respective groups. CCAT is just one of many of the now 12 total branches within the OIR organization. Among these groups are Gospel Choir, MuKappa, MSO, MOE, Amp, the Zeta Chi Sisterhood, OPA, LaJahil, ISO, Libre America, and the ICA.
The crowd was sparse at the beginning of the event, but quickly swelled as passersby became aware of the music and the speakers. The speakers were from a variety of different backgrounds, ranging from an opening prayer from Bol Duot, speakers from students to faculty, and ending with a performance from Phil Haydn and Company.
"I think [having P.E.A.C.E. Day] is a good idea," said Hillary Bartoszek, a freshman attendee. "I didn't grow up with a lot of diversity, but I know there are some issues that need to be addressed."
The Community Cultural Awareness Team (CCAT) was introduced at the beginning of the event. The event was run as a discussion group and not a debate on racial issues. Washington holds that because "we are the body of Christ, it is important for all the parts of the body to know what each other is doing, and to get along," a theme that was supported throughout the afternoon.
Originally instituted by the U.N., P.E.A.C.E. stands for Promoting Ethnic And Cultural Equality, and is intended to be an event where students of all different ethnicities can come together.
"This is Spring Arbor University's first [P.E.A.C.E. Day], of course," said Jasmine Washington, member of the OIR and group leader of the CCAT branch. "We want it to eventually get bigger."
Throughout the event, which was held at the Fireside, the group leaders of smaller branches within the OIR presented their respective groups. CCAT is just one of many of the now 12 total branches within the OIR organization. Among these groups are Gospel Choir, MuKappa, MSO, MOE, Amp, the Zeta Chi Sisterhood, OPA, LaJahil, ISO, Libre America, and the ICA.
The crowd was sparse at the beginning of the event, but quickly swelled as passersby became aware of the music and the speakers. The speakers were from a variety of different backgrounds, ranging from an opening prayer from Bol Duot, speakers from students to faculty, and ending with a performance from Phil Haydn and Company.
"I think [having P.E.A.C.E. Day] is a good idea," said Hillary Bartoszek, a freshman attendee. "I didn't grow up with a lot of diversity, but I know there are some issues that need to be addressed."
The Community Cultural Awareness Team (CCAT) was introduced at the beginning of the event. The event was run as a discussion group and not a debate on racial issues. Washington holds that because "we are the body of Christ, it is important for all the parts of the body to know what each other is doing, and to get along," a theme that was supported throughout the afternoon.
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