By: Khalil Brim ’21, staff writer

LVC’s first ever EqualiTea surprised and thrilled all who attended.

The Black Student Union teamed with the Hispanic Alliance and Asian Culture Club for an EqualiTea workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 30. The event, open to all students and staff, looked at equality and identity in America with the help of a labeling activity, which forced volunteers to step out of their comfort zones.

“It was unreal,” Monica Villa, a senior sociology major, said. “To be put in someone else’s shoes for only five minutes, and to see how it is to live like them was very eye-opening.”

Villa, along with four others, volunteered to wear paper crowns that had various identities written on them that they couldn’t see. After entering the room one by one, other participants were encouraged to treat them accordingly to the label on their crown.

“I felt uncomfortable and immediately wanted to hide from society,” Villa said.

This activity included the labels: disabled, gay, immigrant, homeless and hood. Participants felt both uncomfortable and enlightened.

“It was so hard to represent some of the hateful ideas seen in America and say those hurtful things,” Evelyn Colon, Valley Blue Coat Manager, said. “This event really made you think about how people see you on a daily basis. More people should attend events like this to become more aware of the people around them.”

The Black Student Union, Hispanic Alliance and Asian Culture Club will continue their work to promote inclusion and understanding on LVC’s campus. Another event will be held later this month.