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I believe that this year at N.C. State was one of the most interesting and controversial school terms in a long time. When I look back over all of the events that have happened, I can not seem to pick that one moment which stood out the most. When I first came to this University I did not expect to encounter anything remotely intriguing. I am glad to say that I was wrong.

One incident that will stick out in the minds of many students is the situation involving the Free Expression Tunnel. This act of hate touched everyone of every race. Before this happened, I had not been a witness to public racial slurs and I did not really think I ever would. When I saw those messages across the Free Expression Tunnel it felt as if a piece of my heart had been chipped away. I know it sounds melodramatic, but I never thought someone on this campus would do something like that. With all of the diversity programs and community building we do at this University, I was saddened to see how it all fell short.

After the tunnel issue, I began to subconsciously wonder who my real friends were. When I sat next to someone in class or waved at a complete stranger I wondered if they hated me for the color of my skin. Internally, I began to question the friends I had since freshman year. I debated whether they were really my friends or if they we hanging with me out of habit. It was wrong of me to question those who I knew for years and those I had known in passing, but I could not help it. Before this incident, I never knew what it was like to feel targeted and ostracized.

After in-depth conversations with friends, I concluded that one should not base opinions on the ignorance of a few. I discovered that everyone felt hurt, not just black students, and this knowledge helped to restore my mind to its rightful place, open.

This school year cannot be talked about without the budget cuts. Even thought it did not affect us that much this year, next year a ton of classes we love will be gone. It is not fair to us, and it is most certainly not fair to the upcoming freshman class. Hopefully our education system will work something out. I know this is a research/science based university, but the humanities and social sciences are just as important. I feel as if the abstract thinkers at this institution are slighted the most by these budget cuts.

On a more positive note, I enjoyed all of the programs this year. The Back to School Jam, as well as Friday Fest, were equally enjoyable. Seeing Boyz II Men in concert basically made my year from the beginning! The special presentations put on by Multicultural Student Affairs were very informative and entertaining. My favorite cultural event would have to be the UAB’s BSB Pan Afrikan week. During this week many African and African-American programs were showcased to show history as well as talent. I was very impressed with the unity on campus. I was able to learn as well as have fun. I was proud of North Carolina State University for embracing diversity and not being scared of something a little different.

Lastly the major event that changed everyone�s lives forever was Barack Obama being elected to the presidency. This was the first time in history that a non-white individual was made president. The night of the election was unforgettable; people were happy and out in the streets celebrating equality and how far we had come as a country. This night was a time of love and change, which is something many of us had never experienced. I believe the election brought about feelings of hope and prosperity across campus, as well as, the world. We finally had someone in office that was not afraid of change and was willing to put in the work to get there. His presidency is a beacon of hope for minorities, the disabled, women, the GLBT community, the poor and anyone else who has ever been discriminated against.

The 2008-2009 school year has been quite a whirlwind. We have had our up and downs, but as usual, the good outshined the bad. We have grown and changed with each other this year. The African-American community was challenged and proved to be victorious over any threats. This year has been successful, and with the right ideals, so will the next.

Beautiful weather and a curious taste for ethnic food drew crowds to The Taste of N.C. State, a showcase of foods from cultural organizations across campus Friday afternoon. It was a good excuse for many students to get some fresh air and stroll along the grassy terrain of Harris Field. The event, sponsored by the Diversity Committee of the Union Activities Board and Campus Recreation, was advertised as the “biggest diversity event at N.C. State” by Paula Hagan, a junior in communication and the UAB Diversity chair.

True to its name, the event was wildly popular on Facebook and had a successful turnout; so successful, in fact, that most of the food was gone an hour after the event started. Masses lined up to the volunteers who were serving American staples like pizza, hot dogs and fried chicken, among a number of cultural foods.

“I [have] never had Ethiopian [food] before,” said Abby Rife, freshman in animal science, in between bites of soft spongy bread with meat filling. “The meat works really well with the spices.”  Rife further noted that she has tried many dishes from other countries, including fried spicy dough from Pakistan.

The Asian Students Association handed out dumplings, while the Hmong Students Association served cups of a tapioca pearl drink, a delightful sweet concoction of coconut milk, mixed fruit, and tapioca beads that tasted like a cross between yogurt and a smoothie. The Latin dance team, Sube Ritmo, even provided a cake, though it was quickly depleted.

In addition to student organizations, city vendors set up stands to show their support for the pack. Moe’s Southwest Grill provided a wealth of chips and salsa, while vendors from Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant served trays of lasagna and pasta. Cueva de Lobos, a local Mexican eatery, provided quesadillas, chicken, and bacon wraps. The event provided a pleasing atmosphere for all students from all backgrounds and ideals to unite over sated stomachs.

While the food drew crowds, students stayed for the performances from a number of cultural groups. Sube Ritmo and Fusion Dance Team, the hip-hop cultural dance team, both had the audience fired up.

The C.I.A., or Comedy in Action improvisational comedy group, invited audience members to act out a sketch involving Italian sausage and a dating game show. One of the contestants made it clear he was the Hulk by implicating that his “idea of [a] perfect evening” consisted of “staying at home and not getting angry,” he huffed. Above the field, on the top level of Witherspoon Cultural Center, DJ Cutta spun the turntables and blasted hits from Beyoncé and T-Pain. Students were provided with constant entertainment that also included free henna tattoos and caricatures.

The African Student Union delivered one of the most engaging performances of the event. Members welcomed everyone to “celebrate the diversity and beauty of African-American culture” and recounted the origins behind gumboot dancing. Back when slaves worked the mines, the gumboot dancers explained, the poor drainage system made workers sick, but instead of repairing the system, the mine owners bought gum boots for all the workers. The slaves could not speak to each other, so they communicated by slapping and stomping their boots, and in their spare time they would make up dances. They continued to step in tune to the beat of their own rhythm.

Will Murphy, sophomore in English education, considered the gum boot dance his favorite part of The Taste of N.C. State. “I could better understand the reason behind stepping, and how it came to be integrated in African-American culture,” he said.

Students like Murphy were able to partake in a cultural experience that encompassed the breadth of the university. Food, fun, and diversity: this is what N.C. State is about.