Monday, April 11, 1994
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The Battalion
April |
*
r«THE Unity Continues.
Students celebrate
cultural diversity
By Jennifer Gressett
The Battalion
The second annual Whoopstock Unity Test turned
Simpson Drill Field into a cultural melting pot Sun
day afternoon.
Students from a variety of campus organizations par
ticipated in the fest, which was created last year in an ef
fort to combat the KKK demonstration in College Station.
“I think the KKK was an inspiration for students to
"I THINK IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
THE DIFFERENT CULTURAL FACETS OF THIS
UNIVERSITY TO WORK TOGETHER. AND
that's A TRICK WHEREVER YOU GO — NOT
ONLY TO DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS, BUT TO
SOMEHOW TIE THEM TOGETHER."
Karen Chavis, former A&M student
unite last year,” Bahai Club President Peyam Barghassa
said.
The Bahai faith believes in uniting mankind and fos
tering racial harmony, Barghassa said.
"We believe anything we can do to promote unity is
essential,” Barghassa said.
But while the thought was there, the people weren’t.
In fact, only about 300 students attended the test this year
— about half of last year’s turnout.
That didn’t bother Alpha Phi Alpha President Reginald
Broadus, though.
“1 just think there are other student activities going on
today, ’ Broadus said. “But I do think students are catch
ing on, and hopefully next year’s attendance will in
crease.” \
Broadus led nine members of Alpha Phi Alpha in a
step demonstration, a historical dance which derived in
Africa. The “ice cold Alphas” referred to their demon
stration as a modern. adaptation of what the American
soldiers brought back from World War II.
Other Whoopstock entertainers included the Aggie
Wranglers, the International Music Club, and Fade to
Black dance ensemble.
However, a majority of the crowd was attracted to
Whoopstock by Karan Chavis, a local artist who per
formed her R&B talents with the Big Apple Trio.
Back by popular demand from last year’s fest, Chavis is
a big supporter of Whoopstock.
‘ I think it’s a great opportunity for the different cul
tural facets of this university to work together,” Chavis
said. “And that’s a trick wherever you go — not only to
display their talents, but to somehow tie them together.”
Whoopstock wanted to include students from diverse
backgrounds by including a variety of talents, RHA repre
sentative Barrett Fromme said.
While the Aggie Wranglers awed the audience with
their boot-scootin’ jitterbugging techniques, the Interna
tional Music Club was entertaining the audience with a
live belly dancer. But without this event, those two cul
tures may never have been exposed to one another.
“We really wanted to create an Aggie tradition, but we
wanted to change the norm,” Fromme said.
And tradition seems to be the key word.
“In order for something to succeed at A&M, it has to
be a tradition,” Barghassa said. “And Whoopstock is a
tradition that this school needs.”
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Photo (right) by Kyle Burnett
• Others by Roger Hsieh •
I Peace -Love-Unity-Peace*Love*Unity-Peace -Love*Unity*Peace -Love*Unity-Peace-Love*Unity
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(Top photo) The Aggie Wranglers showoff
their country dancing prowess Sunday
afternoon at Simpson Drill Field. (Right
photo) Former student Karen Chavis joins
the celebration singing some swing and rock.
(Top photo) This year Whoopstock was organized by
(starting from the top, clockwise) Sheri Schmidt, Abby Cook
and Lynn Selzer.
(Top right photo) Vince Allen, with Kappa Alpha Psi,
performs a intricate dance routine utilizing a cane.
(Right photo) Members of Alpha Phi Alpha perform a high
flying, energetic dance.
(Left photo) Yasmine, a belly dancer, dances to the Middle
Eastern music played by the International Music Club.
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