COLORS begins today with human chain

A three-day program organized by University students to celebrate multiculturalism and sensitivity will begin today, and will include speakers, discussion groups and entertainment. COLORS, or Campus Organized Lectures on Racial Sensitivity, is a program of events designed to make students more aware of diversity at the University and of respect for differences as a whole. The program was founded in the fall of 1988 by Alpha Phi Alpha brother Franklin Ferguson and Sigma Chi brother Marc McMorris in response to racial tensions on campus. While the program was originally created to increase dialogue between the Black InterGreek Council and the InterFraternity Council, it eventually transformed into a program open to all members of the University community. "We realized that if the program was intended to reflect true diversity, it shouldn't be a strictly Greek program," COLORS co-chairperson and Alpha Phi Alpha brother Sean Gumbs said. And according to Gumbs, the program is currently being reviewed by Alpha Phi Alpha's national division to make it a mandatory program for chapters across the country. Gumbs is chairing the program with Sigma Chi brother Saad Khairi. The program will begin today at noon with Hands Across Locust Walk, in which a human chain will form from the 38th Street Bridge to the button in front of Van Pelt Library in a symbolic gesture of unity. COLORS will continue this evening with Skit Seminar Night in Vance Hall Basement at 7:30 p.m. Participating groups will perform three short skits dealing with racial topics and student leaders will facilitate discussion. And on Friday, COLORS will host the COLORS Variety Show, which will feature various University performing arts groups in a show of "the true diversity of students at Penn," according to Gumbs. The show, which will be held at Harrison Auditorium at 8 p.m., will be followed by a party at Boccie Pizzeria. While Friday night's party will cost $5 and the Variety Show will have an admission fee of $4 for singles and $7 for pairs, all other events of COLORS are free and are open to the public. "We encourage all students to attend," Gumbs said. "The program is only as effective as the amount of students that come out and voice their opinions."

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