Music filled a crowded Ernie Davis Dining Center Wednesday evening as three sisters of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority danced to promote multiculturalism.

‘I wasn’t really sure what was going on, then I heard music and realized people were dancing between the tables,’ said Brad Marder, a freshman economics major. ‘It’s definitely creating awareness.’

Mu Sigma Upsilon, a multicultural sorority, staged the public dance as a way to bring up the issue of the lack of multicultural integration on campus, said Nayma Silver, a senior international relations major and the president of the Multicultural Greek Council.

Many students eating at the dining center didn’t know why the young women were dancing, and some watched the routine amused while others remained confused.

Harris Maidenbaum, a freshman in the Bandier Program for Music and the Entertainment Industries, said that the activism was not effective enough.

‘It’s not successful if no one knows what’s going on,’ Maidenbaum said.

But Wednesday night will not be the last time Mu Sigma Upsilon has the chance to get the message across.

The demonstration was the second of its kind, the first occurring last Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Shaw Dining Center. The two events are the beginning of the sorority’s ongoing campaign, Breaking Out, which will last throughout the semester to promote cross-cultural understanding and the meaning of multiculturalism.

‘Multiculturalism is not just about race,’ Silver said. ‘It is a matter of un-apologetically recognizing our differences, political views, sexuality, lifestyle choices, religious practices, etc. and embracing them truly.’

‘By showcasing our sorority’s traditions, we intend on promoting multiculturalism and fostering more communication amongst a diverse student body, while they eat.’

The sorority chose to demonstrate their point through music because it’s a medium that unites people, Silver said. All different genres of music will play at Breaking Out to make the events as enjoyable to the largest range of students, Silver said.

‘We’re trying to be innovative,’ Silver said. ‘We’re trying to unite the entire Syracuse campus and do something that everyone on campus can enjoy.’

Mu Sigma Upsilon will host the dance event biweekly on Wednesdays at 6 p.m., alternating between Shaw and Ernie Davis. The sorority will also be reaching out to other SU student organizations to participate and help promote multiculturalism, Silver said. She wants to include greek and non-greek organizations, such as student dance groups Kalabash and Orange Pulse, as examples of being all-inclusive and reaching as many parts of the SU campus with the message as possible.

rastrum@syr.edu

Published on January 27, 2010 at 12:00 pm