MSU-Detroit College of Law’s Diversity Week 2002 will include community service events, lectures and celebrations.
The events are sponsored by several organizations, including the Wolverine Student Bar Association and The Young Democrats. Wolverine Student Bar Association President James Liggins Jr. said the week is for all cultures.
“When we’re coming from such tragic international events, what we’re hoping to get out of here is tolerance and an understanding of other cultures that represents the U.S. culture from the international community as a whole,” Liggins said.
He said people realize racial profiling does not happen only to black students, but people of all ethnicities.
“We hope that the entire Michigan State community comes out and supports the programs here,” Liggins said. “It’s one of our ways to give back to the community and university.
“This week is focusing on diversity, and also because we’re from law school, legal aspects and dynamics that interrelate with these topics will be discussed.”
The week will be kicked off today with a blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross.
“Blood is the lifeline,” Liggins said. “We can give something from ourselves to help everyone else. We can also donate our time and tolerance. It’s more of trying to get together to live in harmony and peace - it does kind of kick it off right.”
Jason Atkins, president of the Student Bar Association, said he is excited the association could move the celebration into an entire week, instead of the one-day event held last year.
“The movement of this celebration of diversity from a single-day toward an entire week is a reason for us all to celebrate, especially where there is a significant need for an understanding of these issues,” he said.
Barbara Anselmo, assistant director of marketing for DCL, said it is exciting to see all cultures coming together through college events.
“It’s an event that is sponsored by a diverse group of people to celebrate the diverse student body that we have at the law college and to reward diversity in the future,” Anselmo said. “It is certainly inspired by the sentiment on the MSU campus, which of course is inclined to celebrate and encourage diversity.”
