One thing that has bothered me for a long time is that there is a black Greek system and a white Greek system. I am not a member of a fraternity or sorority, but I am a member of the University community, and we all affect each other whether or not we realize it. After the rally against racism, a thin layer of pain was lifted from our hearts, but the clouds of prejudice still obscure our vision. We cannot flood a plant with water and sunshine once and expect it to blossom into a healthy plant. It needs regular nurturing, frequent gatherings and consultation. As stated in the Baha’i writings, “The shining spark of truth cometh forth only after the clash of differing opinions.”

Perhaps our community can set goals and objectives to achieve unity on campus. A suggested place to start would be to unite the Greek system, but it must reflect a deeper transformation of mind and heart. Otherwise it is doomed to failure. A few weeks ago, I was struck by a poster of Greek unity week, and all I saw were white faces. Hah! This is not true unity. It is racism. At the rally, did we not ten times declare that “We will not tolerate racism at Northern Illinois University?” Another quote from the Baha’i writings gives perspective, “… If you desire with all your heart, friendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will spread; it will become the desire of others, growing stronger and stronger, until it reaches the minds of all people.”

The rally got us off to a good start, but it is just that—a start. Again from the Baha’i teachings, “Let this gathering be a foreshadowing of what will, in very truth take place in this world, when every child of God realizes that they are leaves of one tree, flowers in one garden, drops in one ocean, and sons and daughters of one Father, whose name is love!”

Nan Wolgel

graduate student, communicative disorders