Multicultural retreat leads to personal growth
Campus Times
October 24, 1997
A total of 29 members from the University of La Verne community gathered
together Wednesday to take part in the Sixth Annual Multicultural Retreat.
The retreat, which was sponsored by Harvel Lewis, coordinator of minority
student affairs, was held at her home in Pomona.
It was a day-long experience which gave participants the opportunity
to go outside the boundaries of the ULV environment and discuss issues which
are currently of importance or concern within their lives.
Such issues included the understanding and sharing of different cultures
and backgrounds, prejudice, racism, homophobia, values, gender and oppression.
The retreat began quite casually, as Lewis introduced the event and
asked that participants help establish ground rules. These regulations,
designed by the participants, reflected the values and roles they expected
throughout the day.
Following introduction, Kate Mueller, coordinator of student development,
organized several icebreakers to assist in getting to know the expectations
and opinions of the participants.
Those who participated in the retreat had the chance to express their
opinions on specific statements and comments at this point.
Like the majority of people in attendance, freshman Carlos Moreno, an
English major, learned to listen to and understand others' views as a result
of this experience.
"It was a wonderful learning experience all the way around and
[I] enjoyed conversing with other people in this type of forum," said
Moreno.
In addition to such discussions, the idea of an open forum setting led
to comfort and relaxation for several individuals.
Lewis expressed that "people are reluctant to talk about race"
because they build up walls that prevent them from understanding or trying
to ask.
Junior sociology major Amber Prince also found this to be true.
"Each ethnic group has its own questions, and those questions are
like walls," Prince said. "Once the questions are answered, there
is room for communication. That's what is needed."
For Veronica Ramirez, a junior sociology major, the retreat was a first-time
experience.
"I expected to see where other students stand at the University,
to see where viewpoints stand and to see if anyone agrees with the way I
feel on certain issues," she said.
"I guess I've become a little more open-minded and try to understand
why people feel the way they do," Ramirez said. "Basically they
feel that way because they do not have one-on-one interaction. They won't
give it [diverse interaction] a chance. If someone doesn't take the first
step forward, it might not ever happen."
The idea of taking the initiative was one of the primary objectives
and goals of the group.
At the end of the day, many participants had grown personally, as they
attained a better understanding of another ethnicity's traditions, values
and language.
Prince said, "It's a personal growth. Change starts with one. If
one person is able to attain personal growth, then the goal of the multicultural
retreat has been made."
The experience concludes next week with a trip to the Museum of Tolerance
and Farmers' Market in Los Angeles.
