Diversity to be Celebrated at Global Village

By Summer Meza

Looking for a day full of cultural food, performances, a dunk tank, music and games? If so, then you can't miss Global Village. The Multicultural Center here on campus will be hosting their annual event this upcoming Sunday.  Global Village is a cultural extravaganza that brings together the different ethnic-focused clubs of the MCC to celebrate diversity at Santa Clara. 

The Asian Pacific Islander Student Union, Chinese Student Association, Pan-African, Hawai'ian and Latino clubs, amongst other groups, are just some of the cultural student organizations that are a part of the MCC. These groups have been working hard to combine forces and create an unforgettable experience that will do justice to the diversity and culture that these clubs strive to celebrate every day.

"We want to promote a sense of community and showcase what the Multicultural Center has to offer," said senior Amanda Kaku, who is leading the way in planning Global Village. "It's our biggest event of the year, and it really helps us (promote) what we're all about."

In addition to being an extremely fun way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon, Global Village also raises money to support diversity outside of school.

"The money goes to a nonprofit," said senior Michelle Tang, the director of the MCC. "We'll be sending it to a local Bay Area organization that serves communities of color." 

Students who go to Global Village and support the MCC can enjoy themselves even more knowing they are helping spread the mission of the MCC to other areas.

Global Village, however, is not a brand new event. This will be the 17th consecutive year that Global Village has been put on, due to its extreme success in the past. Besides students enjoying themselves, the 2011 Global Village raised over $500 for the nonprofit chosen that year. 

"My favorite part, in the past, (has been) sampling different kinds of cultural foods that all of the groups prepare," said Tang. 

If for no other reason, students are encouraged to come to Global Village for the "food, fun and friends," said Tang. 

While this event is certainly exciting and draws a large crowd, it is by no means the only event that the Multicultural Center puts on throughout the year. Students interested in getting involved in a cultural group can come to one of the weekly meetings to start getting to know the different clubs.