New UMC chair aims for 'mutual respect'

Newly elected United Minorities Council Chairperson Susie Lee knows what working for a cause is all about. Lee's vision is primarily focused within the University's minority community. "I want the community of students of color to acknowledge and understand each other better," the College junior said. "It's important that we have mutual respect for one another." She also wants to promote minority permanence at the University by increasing awareness. For this reason, Lee, who was previously UMC vice chairperson and College senior Onyx Finney, former UMC chairperson, have been working to gain a UMC seat on the University Council. Despite her desire to facilitate understanding of different cultures across the University, Lee stressed that she does not want to force her views on others. "I've learned a lot through my work with the UMC," said Lee. "But it was my decision to know more about other students of color - not the University's." Lee added that nobody should be forced to confront other cultures - through assigned housing or otherwise. Lee, who worked as the Korean Students Association's representative to the UMC during her freshman and sophomore years, she said she understands students' desires to work solely in their own constituent group. "I just happened to become interested in the UMC because I felt like it would allow me to be a central part of the University," Lee said. "For some people, finding themselves might be through some other affiliation." She has not always been active in political circles. "It wasn't until I came to college that I started to see the need for minority activism in political arenas," she said. "Finding that part of me has been a huge part of my learning experience here." Lee explained that her parents support her involvement in the UMC and her decision to cal lherself a Korean American. "I don't buy into the idea of America as huge melting pot," she said. "After all, that's what makes America great - I don't have to give up part of myself to be an American." Aside from her parental support, Lee pointed out religion as another important role model in her life. "God is very important to me," she said. "I like thinking that there's a higher being for me to depend on." Lee emphasized that her faith in God her helped her take advantage of her experience at the University. As an example she cited a freshman seminar that inspired her into further self-discovery. Even though she plans to attend medical school after her 1997 graduation, she said minority issues have secured a definite place in her future. Lee recalled the exact moment her involvement in the UMC became a true dedication - at a UMC retreat her sophomore year. "We all sat around and discussed the stereotypes we had of each other," Lee said. "I realized that despite the common experiences that link a group of people, the only way to really see other people is as individuals."

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