BY JEORGIA JAHUMPA
Culture Camp invited all students to fun activities, such as dominoes and Jeopardy, to educate students about different cultures and identities.
From February 26 to February 28, students came together to expand their knowledge of other identities and cultures and brainstormed how Stonehill could improve support for minority students.
Diverse clubs, including Pan Asian Alliance (P.A.A.), Mundos Apartes, Tierras Unidades (M.A.T.U.), PRIDE, Whites Becoming Allies (W.B.A.), and Radiant, Inspirational, Sisters Empowered (RISE), came together to showcase what their clubs are all about as well as host discussions about issues of race, gender, and identity.
Lianza Stephens, Student Government Association Diversity Chair, ‘23, said she wanted to provide a community for all students of color and students of any marginalized groups, as well as change the barriers between people apart of certain marginalized groups.
Culture Camp initially started with previous Diversity Chair Sadé Ratliff, ‘23, who wanted to create an activity where people of color are being supported and have a space to have fun and educate students on the things that are not talked about enough.
Michael Kennedy, the co-coordinator for PRIDE and W.B.A., ‘23, said the event serves as a safe place for students to ask questions, be themselves, and dive into dialogue.
“I learned how to play various versions of dominoes which was so fun, and I loved seeing how engaged everyone was in learning about other cultures,” said Kennedy.
PRIDE is open to queer students and LGBTQIA+ allies to help students build a safe community close to them and expand their safe spaces into the classroom, while Whites Become Allies is a discussion group where students talk about race, white privilege, and how to be anti-racist.
“Having diverse clubs on campus elevates the lived experiences of minority students on campus as well as opens spaces for all students to learn about the lives of all,” Kennedy said, “They also make Stonehill a more appealing space for prospective students, which promotes the image that even at a small catholic school there can be spaces to express identities.”
Melanie Barbosa, the co-coordinator for RISE, ‘23, said that events like culture camp ensure students from marginalized groups that they matter on campus.
“I think so important for students of color to have diverse clubs on campus because I think it’s a great opportunity to show students that there are people that look like them on campus and to help connect them and also to create a safe space for all students of color,” Barbosa said.
R.I.S.E. is a dialogue group open to women of color to discuss issues of gender, activism, sisterhood, and solidarity.
The group presented the documentary A Love Song for Latasha and hosted a Q&A discussing the issues women of color face.
The coordinators said they hope Culture Camp will continue to draw in more students and gain more traction in the future.
“ I just hope after I leave people will see culture camp to not only get educated but to have fun with everyone from different walks of life,” Stephens said.