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COMMUNITY THROUGH UNITY
By Tinbete Ermyas
Silver Spring, Maryland
Undeclared

Unity. It's a concept that's hard for many to envision happening anywhere outside of childhood fables and far-reaching dreams. But thanks to the Department of Multicultural Life, unity is not that far out of reach. Through a series of programs and events at the Cultural House, students can discuss issues of multiculturalism in a safe environment. Some of the programs that take place in the Cultural House are the Tapas Series, the Collective Meetings, Hollaback Café, Fresh Fridays, the Poetry Slam and In the Kitchen.

All of these programs help spread multiculturalism and its ideals to the greater community. Along with spearheading the programmatic aspect of the house, the Department of Multicultural Life manages the people who get to live in and share the space. This year, 10 students are living in the residential rooms of the Cultural House. The Cultural House provides a physical space for the idea of multiculturalism to gain a more tangible status on the Macalester campus, creating a greater sense of unity.

All in all, the experience thus far has been superb. The Cultural House this year, more than ever before, has been made into a space where multiculturalism and its ideals can flourish without question. And though the same can't be said for the rest of the world, I am happy to say, at least in terms of the Cultural House, the Department of Multicultural Life and Macalester, that unity is
here to stay.

Cultural House Activities

	Hollaback Café Students listen to rap music and talk about its influence on popular culture.
	In the Kitchen A signature program that invites the Macalester community to come together over dinner to discuss questions involving identity, diversity, culture and many other issues of multi-culturalism, each dinner features foods that represent the host cooks' homes. Here, the Caribbean Student Association mixes together a lively blend of Caribbean cuisine.
	Poetry Slam An annual event, the Poetry Slam is the largest event at the Cultural House. Students perform their written words and are judged by the audience. There is also an open mike session.
	Soup & Substance Over soup, students, staff and faculty engage in dialogues that center around topics chosen for the year.