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TechnographQuad protest targets racial stereotyping
Group lambasts ZBT, Tri Delts, hopes to get University's attention
By Susan Kantor
Posted: 11/1/06 Section: News
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With signs reading "The fight is far from over" and "My culture is not a costume," hundreds of students filled the Quad side of the Illini Union this afternoon for a rally entitled "Breaking the Silence."
The rally was organized by Students Transforming Oppression and Privilege (STOP). The purpose was to get the University administration's attention regarding racist actions across campus that were exemplified in the Oct. 5 exchange between the Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity unofficially dubbed "Tacos and Tequila."
"We are not attacking the Tri Delts or ZBT," said Wendy Marie Finley, member of STOP and junior in LAS. "We are attacking the system. We are just using them as an example."
Students spoke against the racist actions during the rally on the Quad before students walked to both the Tri Delta and ZBT houses chanting phrases such as "hey hey, ho ho, racism has got to go."
Tri Delta and ZBT representatives declined to comment.
"We have had enough," said Osvaldo Torres, sophomore in LAS and member of Lambda Theta Phi, a United Greek Council Latin fraternity, the Mexican Student Association. "We will no longer be disrespected on this campus. Our cultures will no longer be mocked. We will no longer be made fun of. We will no longer be told that we don't deserve to be here. And it all starts with one step. And that is unifying ourselves."
The rally ended at the Swanlund Administration Building, 601 E. John St., where a statement by Chancellor Herman was read by Renee Romano, vice chancellor for Student Affairs.
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