by Caleb Fort
Daily Lobo
Michelle Touson said it is lonely being an African-American student at UNM.
"Especially in graduate courses - I'm often the only black student there," she said.
Touson marched on campus with about 15 other students on Tuesday in a protest called "UNM for Everyone."
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The protest was meant to bring attention to racial and cultural imbalances at the University, she said.
UNM students, as well as faculty and staff, are ignorant of African-American culture, she said.
"What you see on TV is not black culture," she said. "They're always talking about street credibility, for example. Most black people don't talk about street cred. That's Madison Avenue hype, and it perpetuates ignorance and racism."
In the fall of 2005, about 48 percent of UNM students were white, about 30 percent were Hispanic and 2.6 percent were African-American, according to enrollment statistics.
Student Jay Tillman, who marched in the protest, said there needs to be more multicultural events at UNM.
"They say they're about diversity, but the activities on campus don't reflect that," he said. "There should be more going on that promotes different cultures, and it should be endorsed by the administration."
Student Victor Smith, who also marched, agreed.
He said there is not enough racial harmony at UNM.
"I definitely think there's a lack of multiculturalism," he said. "We want everybody to be able to enjoy us, and we want to be able to enjoy them. We just want to be recognized in a positive sense."
Laurie Mellas-Ramirez, a UNM spokeswoman, said the University actively promotes multiculturalism.
"There are countless events that honor diversity at UNM," she said.
For example, from Feb. 16 to Feb. 21 UNM will host 40th anniversary celebrations for the Black Panther Party.
"They chose the University because of its diversity, and the way the diverse groups work together," she said.
Student Christen Illescas did not see the march, but said it was not an effective way to achieve cultural diversity at UNM.
"They could organize some cultural events themselves, and I'm sure the administration would be supportive of them," she said. "It's not a matter of UNM not promoting multiculturalism - if that's what you want, you just have to go out and find it."
Members of the Black Student Union organized the march.
The protesters started their march at Mesa Vista Hall and finished at the statues in front of Johnson Center. They paused in front of Scholes Hall to chant "UNM for everyone" and "Don't talk about it, just be about it."
Touson said African-American history is not integrated enough into American consciousness.
"This is not Black History Month," she said. "Black history is 365 days a year. Black history is part of American history."
The protest was an effective way to send a message, she said.
"We were a small group, but we were loud," she said. "You can't say they didn't hear us."
Student Kelly Nguyen said she has never had a problem with the culture at UNM.
"I think everything is fine," she said. "I think there's plenty of diversity, and I don't really think it's a problem."
Student Tim Green, who helped organize the march, said people taking too much pride in their own culture can create racism against others.
"Too much nationalism creates racism," he said. "When people get too involved with their own country, or race, they become ignorant of others."
