Hello everyone,

So I'm back from NYC.  It was a blast, my schedule was very busy and very hectic which didn't allow for much sleep but it was very well worth it.

For those of you don't know, I was in NYC for NCORE (the national conference on race and ethnicity) Just like the name, it is a conference where over 3000 people meet, discuss, and present many, many different topics in regards to race and ethnicity and the challenges of overcoming racism today. As I am a part of the privileged white majority, the conference was very enlightening and most of all humbling. For the first time in my life, I was a minority in every room for each presentation and discussion. There were people there from all over the country, and from Iowa State we had a group of about 25 of us.  At times I felt very ignorant and naive when these presenters would give examples of the subtle racism in our society, things that as a white person, I did not even think twice about. We would listen to the MANY personal stories from fellow ISU students of the multiple times they had experienced racism on our very own campus. (For example, multiple students told of being shouted at and called the N-word by a passing car when walking home at night.)   I supposed these stories shouldn't have shocked me as much as they did, but I guess I always had a blissful ignorance assuming that these acts of hate didn't happen anymore.  I mean not here at ISU, maybe other places, but not here.

This conference was one of the most profound and eyeopening experiences I've had in college. I could go on and no, but I want to keep this blog as short as possible.  I would highly recommend this experience for every one.   For knowledge is our best defense against hate.   And not just when it comes to race, but all forms of hate and discrimination  (Sexual orientation, religion, gender, wealth, etc.) So please, if anyone is interested, talk to me in the fall.

In the evenings, after the conference was over, I got a chance to explore the city and take in some Broadway shows.  I saw four shows in all.  First and least of which was Spiderman. It was THE worst musical I have ever seen.  People told me Spiderman was bad, but for $60+ million that was spent creating it, I thought how bad could it be?  But yes, I can confirm it, it was terrible.   The music and book were terrible.  Although to be fair, visually it was spectacular; which for 60 million it should be.

Next I saw Anything Goes. This show was FANTASTIC!  Loved every minute of it.  From the set to the music to the choreography, it was spectacular.

Next I saw Evita with Ricky Martin starring.  This show was done very well.  Choreography was wonderful.  I enjoyed it, although having never seen it before, it is not one of my favorite musicals.

Finally I saw Porgy and Bess!  The show was OUTSTANDING! I was in the fifth row (student rush tickets, yay!)  And I do not have the words for how great Audrey McDonald's performance as Bess was.  She is one of the most talented actresses, and it was so wonderful to get the chance to see her onstage and up close.

Alright, that's it for now.