Harvard Foundation, HRAACF Smooth Over Differences

Members of the Harvard-Radcliffe Asian American Christian Fellowship (HRAACF) met with the sponsors of the Cultural Rhythms festival yesterday morning to discuss the group's removal from the show schedule.

Although the group was not reinserted into the program, fellowship executive team members said they are happy with the outcome of their meeting with the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations.

"Our agenda wasn't getting into this year's Cultural Rhythms," said Jeffrey R. Gu '00. "We just wanted them to understand what our organization is all about... It was sort of like a reconciliation."

Last week, following the group's removal from the schedule, Gu and Abigail L. Hing '99 wrote a letter to the foundation protesting the decision, which the group understood to be based on the religious content of their performance.

"They had reviewed our performance and decided that it was inappropriate," Hing said.

HRAACF members had originally planned to perform "body worship," hand motions set to religious music. In their letter, Gu and Hing wrote that this type of worship is practiced mostly by the Asian-American community.

"[It] is one example of the ethnic contributions Asian Americans bring to the Western tradition," they wrote.

At the meeting yesterday morning, Hing said, foundation officials "expressed an understanding that they also want to be evolving as well in their understanding of culture and ethnicity."

Foundation Student Activities Coordinator Nana E. Coleman '98 called the meeting "productive" and said the foundation hoped the group would continue communicating with the student advisory committee.

Hing said that the foundation does not yet recognize "the intersection of culture and religion" in the group's performance.

But Hing characterized the meeting as "a big step forward" and said that after speaking with foundation officials, she thinks they are "more willing to understand."

"While they might be familiar with [the overlap between religion and cul- ture] in some constructions...they weren't thatfamiliar with Asian American Christian culture. Itwas easy for them to overlook it as relevant toCultural Rhythms," Hing said.

Gu said foundation officials emphasized theorganization's inclusiveness, while Hing in turnsaid HRAACF supports Cultural Rhythms.

"They are trying to appreciate diversity andthat is very much part of our mission," Hing said."We were really glad to be able to speak to themand clear things up. We felt that the atmospherebetween our organizations is more forward-lookingnow. We're looking for ways that we can help eachother in the future."

"I hope next year we will get a chance to showthe Harvard community what we're about," Gu said.

An Audience With the Prince

Meanwhile, the rush for Cultural Rhythmstickets ended abruptly yesterday afternoon around2 p.m. when the show sold out.

The Cultural Rhythms celebration will be inSanders Theatre from 2 to 4 p.m. Actor, musicianand producer Will Smith will be honored asCultural Artist of the Year during this portion.

The festival will continue in the ScienceCenter, with the addition of a food festival, from4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Robert S. Nocon '02 said he made the trip tothe Sanders Theatre box office when he heard Smithwould be honored at this year's performance.

"I wanted to go even before I knew Will Smithwas hosting but I had let the opportunity go,"Nocon said. "Before I was just procrastinating."

Unfortunately, Nocon's attempt at a ticket cametoo late. The show was already sold out.

"If you find anybody [with a ticket], just sendthem over here," Nocon said.

Even those unimpressed at the prospect ofseeing Smith found them-selves empty-handed.

"I knew it was going to be popular, but Ididn't think it would go that fast," said Tri MacPhuong '02, who tried to buy a ticket lateyesterday afternoon.

Phoung said one of his friends had sent out amass e-mail message in search of a ticket.

"I sent one saying, 'Don't give it to him. Giveit to me, because I'm a better person,'" Phuongjoked.

Phuong said he wanted to see "what Harvard hasto offer in terms of diversity."

"Why would I want to see Will Smith?" Phuongsaid. "It was Halle Berry last year--that would becool.

Gu said foundation officials emphasized theorganization's inclusiveness, while Hing in turnsaid HRAACF supports Cultural Rhythms.

"They are trying to appreciate diversity andthat is very much part of our mission," Hing said."We were really glad to be able to speak to themand clear things up. We felt that the atmospherebetween our organizations is more forward-lookingnow. We're looking for ways that we can help eachother in the future."

"I hope next year we will get a chance to showthe Harvard community what we're about," Gu said.

An Audience With the Prince

Meanwhile, the rush for Cultural Rhythmstickets ended abruptly yesterday afternoon around2 p.m. when the show sold out.

The Cultural Rhythms celebration will be inSanders Theatre from 2 to 4 p.m. Actor, musicianand producer Will Smith will be honored asCultural Artist of the Year during this portion.

The festival will continue in the ScienceCenter, with the addition of a food festival, from4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Robert S. Nocon '02 said he made the trip tothe Sanders Theatre box office when he heard Smithwould be honored at this year's performance.

"I wanted to go even before I knew Will Smithwas hosting but I had let the opportunity go,"Nocon said. "Before I was just procrastinating."

Unfortunately, Nocon's attempt at a ticket cametoo late. The show was already sold out.

"If you find anybody [with a ticket], just sendthem over here," Nocon said.

Even those unimpressed at the prospect ofseeing Smith found them-selves empty-handed.

"I knew it was going to be popular, but Ididn't think it would go that fast," said Tri MacPhuong '02, who tried to buy a ticket lateyesterday afternoon.

Phoung said one of his friends had sent out amass e-mail message in search of a ticket.

"I sent one saying, 'Don't give it to him. Giveit to me, because I'm a better person,'" Phuongjoked.

Phuong said he wanted to see "what Harvard hasto offer in terms of diversity."

"Why would I want to see Will Smith?" Phuongsaid. "It was Halle Berry last year--that would becool.