Photo by Erin FredrichsTribune

Tribune

University of New Mexico junior Travis McKenzie (center) embraces Pamela Genghini Hernandez (left) and Whisper Carpenter-Kish at a diversity rally in front of the Student Union Building. All three spoke Monday at the gathering of student organizations that have banded together to battle intolerance on campus. "We're here to be the change we want to see in the world," McKenzie said as he addressed the smattering of students at the rally.

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With a civil rights anthem playing in the background and concerns about campus ethnic tensions clearly on his mind, University of New Mexico student Travis McKenzie didn't mince words.

"We're here to unify," he said emotionally.

McKenzie was one of about a dozen students from different ethnicities and organizations to rally on the UNM campus Monday. The event, sponsored by members of El Centro de la Raza, a Hispanic student-support organization, was intended to promote diversity on a campus that has seen a troubling spate of racially charged incidents in recent weeks.

"We're here to evolve the concepts of civil rights to encompass everyone's struggle," said McKenzie as Marvin Gaye's 1971 classic "What's Going On" played in the background.

"We have to be the voice for those that have been silenced," he added.

The campus has experienced three incidents of racial intolerance in recent weeks: an act of vandalism against a Mexican flag; attacks on East Indian students; the harassment of Miss Indian UNM.

Students say they need to get the word out about intolerance in hopes of creating a sense of community on campus.

Joseph Garcia, president of the Graduate and Professional Student Association and member of the university's Hate Crimes Task Force, said he feels it's important that people know what's happening in American society in terms of civil rights, racial intolerance and other issues.

"I think there's a need for awareness because we've become so busy with work and school and it takes us away from what's going on in our society or communities," he said.

Bhavana Upadhyaya, president of the India Students Association, said when she found out about some of the incidents of racial intolerance, it affected her deeply.

"There was a sense of fear and insecurity and feeling different and isolated in the community," she said.

She said she wanted to change the negative feeling on campus and saw the rally as the perfect opportunity to do so.

"We want to show solidarity to each other and express and feel what it's like to walk with each other," she said.

Although few students came to the rally, Upadhyaya said it was only the beginning.

"I'm not disappointed. This was only the first step," she said. "We have more steps to come."

Upadhyaya said the organizers expect bigger numbers in the future as the word gets out.

Alex Pogzeba, a biochemistry major, watched the rally all morning.

"I think it's interesting," he said. "I definitely agree with a lot of things they say."

McKenzie said it's important that people enter campus with a sense of self-awareness, not letting the university or any establishment alter their perception of themselves.

"It (the rally) is to remember who they (students) are and where they came from, to not get lost in this institution but to lead this institution," said McKenzie.

At the end of the rally, McKenzie played American Indian chants. Among a crowd of his supporters, he yelled "Viva la lucha" (long live the fight).