From November 30 through December 4, the Ethnic Race Relations Committee (ERRC), an organization whose purpose is to promote cultural and racial awareness in students, hosted Genocide Awareness Week. It was the first time ERRC arranged this event, at the suggestion of English Teacher Jennifer Moore last year. Their main goal was to make students aware of past and present genocides. “People sort of overlook the fact that we don’t have any racial problems on our particular campus, but they are actually quite pervasive. So as members of ERRC, we try to promote respect and tolerance for all cultures,” said Senior Anjana Bala, co-chair of ERRC.

The posters informed students about genocides that occurred throughout the world, including statistics stating that over 83 million people have died in past genocides. ERRC also distributed white ribbons during read meetings, which symbolized support for the people that suffered in past and present genocides, and represented a general sign of peace.

ERRC hosted a presentation in conjunction with Genocide Awareness Week, as well. The club arranged for Chivy Sok, a survivor of the Cambodian genocide to come speak at MSJ. She described how she was separated from her family at the early age of six, when soldiers from the Khmer Rouge regime drove them out of their home. Helpless and alone, she was forced to work laboriously in the rice fields of Cambodia. Yet, Sok did not dwell in the past for too long, and soon began speaking about her current life, and how she has dedicated her life to preserving humanity and encouraging young people to take action and make a difference in the world.

“I liked her insight and her dedication into how she decided we could help […] she told us of ways we can be useful so that we spread the word, get better insight, and also contribute to the eradication of genocides, ” said Sophomore Vipin Dulam, who attended the event.

ERRC plans to continue Genocide Awareness Week in the years to come, and hopefully, students will be urged to improve their world through their actions and voices.