Posted: 4/2/07 Section: News

Media Credit: David Lai Student leaders on campus have a discussion about Native American Culture outside between the Native American House and the Asian American Cultural Center during the Multicultural Conference on Saturday, Mar. 31, 2007 at the four cultural houses.

"Tacos and Tequila," the Chief Illiniwek symbol and other ethnic stereotypes were all addressed during the first Multicultural Conference held March 31 with student leaders and organizations speaking at various cultural houses on campus.

The event was co-sponsored by Together Encouraging the Appreciation of Multiculturalism (TEAM) and the Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC).

Ajay Alexander, junior in LAS, the external vice president of TEAM and campus outreach chair for APAC, brought the two organizations together to present the opportunity for student leaders and Greek Council leaders to address the theme of the conference: racial stereotyping in the community.

Students at each cultural house at the University rotated during the conference in serving a presentation on the racial stereotypes they face on campus.

"Each community will be able to compare and contrast how racial stereotypes have affected them," Alexander said.

Approximately 45 students were present at the conference with the event beginning at the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural House.

George West, president of the Central Black Student Union and sophomore in LAS, said African-American male students were not permitted to reside in University residence halls until the mid-fifties because there was a fear they would cause trouble. This negative stereotype may still exist today, he added.

Brittany Lacey, executive board member of Women of Color and junior in Communications, said stereotypes are damaging on an individual level as well as on a community level.

"On the educational front, it's an achievement for anyone to make it to the U of I," Lacey said. "It's hard to digest that African- Americans and minorities are considered as less than (able to achieve)."

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