Sunny day brings "unity" to Norfolk State students

By: Lerone Graham

Posted: 10/12/07

On a sunny spring day, a number of Norfolk State students gathered in the picnic area outside of Dick Price Stadium to celebrate "Unity Day".

"Be sure to tune in to Rap City on BET," said DJ Vince, giving a brief intermission between spinning songs on his turntable. He vowed to represent Norfolk State well when he appears on the nationally televised show.

A sense of pride and belonging was felt throughout the event. The lawn turned into an array of colors, as students wore the hue that represented their school, fraternity, sorority or organization.

The scene was reminiscent of a family cookout. With plates of hot dogs and hamburgers going around, and upbeat music playing, all groups seemed to be in high spirits.

"All of the Greek organizations can be in the same place on campus and get along," said Kelly Hopkins, a member of Omega Psi Phi. "We're all just having a good time," he continued.

Hopkins feels that people often get the wrong idea about fraternities, Omega Psi Phi especially. While he admits that his brethren are often rowdy and animated when partying, he knows there is a time and a place.

"Contrary to popular belief, there are educated Ques (Omega Psi Phi members)," Hopkins said.

As a member of Dozoretz National Institute for Mathematics and Applied Sciences (DNIMAS), Hopkins fits the bill of an educated Omega.

Mykia Smith, a member of sister sorority Delta Sigma Theta also feels that Greek organizations are misunderstood.

"We're not just about partying, we're devoted to sisterhood and community service," Smith said.

With so many personalities and groups present, it was hard to tell that these misconceptions exist, judging from the smiles seen and laughter heard. At one point, members of different fraternal organizations began stepping with each other, as if they were frat brothers.
As heated as Greek stepping competitions can become, it was clear that everyone was making an effort to make Unity Day more than just a meaningless school event.

"I feel that this is a great opportunity for the Greek and non-Greek to mingle and understand each other," said Demece Williams, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Williams feels that in a lot of instances, Greek organizations are put on a pedestal, when they are just students like everyone else.

The sunny weather conditions of the day were drastically different than the rainy atmosphere that was present the day before. This is similar to the manner in which the mood on Norfolk State's campus has shifted to the happy environment prevalent on Unity Day.

Only two weeks removed from the on-campus homicide of freshman student Sean Williams, the wounds are still fresh.

While Unity Day gave students a chance to laugh and enjoy themselves, many of these students may have been the same ones seeking grief counseling offered by the faculty the week before.

"It really eased the negative tension," said Yusef Ellis, a freshman who went to high school with Williams.

"We need to realize that it could have happened anywhere. So it's good to get everyone's mind off of it by having a fun day where you can eat good food and listen to music," Ellis continued.

With a variety of different people in the same place on a hot day, conflicts tend to arise, as seen in Spike Lee's "Do the Right Thing". On Unity Day, Norfolk State students set aside their many differences to enjoy the day and focus on things that bring them together, as opposed to those that separate them.