Speaker discusses cultural integration

Native- American religious leader and American-Indian studies Professor Little Crow spoke on cultural awareness Wednesday in the University Student Union Informal Lounge.

About 20 students and staff members of Cal State Long Beach turned out to hear Little Crow discuss issues that he believes individuals need to examine.

"Multiculturalism is an interesting word - how you perceive it, how you deal with it, how you interact with it. Are you too busy to even give it a thought, consideration or sit dow n and write a paragraph about it?" Little Crow asked.

In a society that promotes unity in a multicultural society, there is a need for people to be viewed as human individuals, rather than as members of certain groups, Little Crow said.

He ask ed if people are really willing to integrate multiculturalism into their daily lifestyle. "Do we want to be a multicultural nation? Do we really believe in the premise of that, which is written on the side of the Statue of Liberty?" Little Crow asked.

The government emphasizes that people should integrate with one another and learn to get along in a multicultural society, but inherent prejudices and biases can make this difficult. Little Crow admitted that he too has his own set of biases, ju st as everyone does, though it is commonly thought to be socially unacceptable to admit.

"As a spiritual leader in my community, I have to address what bias is and show that I know what bias is about. I have to be brutally honest."

He also no ted that morality and multiculturalism can not be taught from a book, and people are no longer reaching out and asking what the other person has to offer.

"To get multiculturalism down pat, calls for stark honesty. To be starkly honest, you have t o draw from all your experiences and everything you think you know from this point," he said.

Little Crow concluded his talk by saying that there is a moral and spiritual core that exists in everyone and everything.

"You and I must set the exam ple," Little Crow said. "We must make sure that whatever (multiculturalism) is supposed to represent, at least we leave some picture of what it is for those who follow along - an acceptance of people as human beings."