If it has diversity, go Frontier Fiesta

Claims of exclusionary practices, unfair treatment and racism in the planning of Frontier Fiesta, along with complaints of a lack of diversity and variety of entertainment at the event, have not surfaced this year as in the past.

In fact, in the past two years, Frontier Fiesta planners have worked hard to prevent the kinds of problems that arised, for example, in `94 when UH ethnic organizations went so far as to boycott the event.

The big complaint was that the entire event was molded around an Anglo Saxon history, and other groups were excluded.

And in `93, the Confederate flag was hung at the event, causing a big stir and leaving a sting that students to this day still feel -- a sting that Frontier Fiesta must redeem itself before the event can gain the respect its organizers want.

This is a difficult task, considering that every year the planners say they are dedicated to diversifying Frontier Fiesta and reflecting all the cultures that are part of UH, but then they don't. They find little ways here and there to keep other groups ("other" meaning those groups that are not your typical fraternities and sororities) from having representation.

Talk is cheap.

But this year, the Frontier Fiesta Board of Directors went to work early to put together an event that will feature more variety, including Native American powwows, hay rides and dunk tanks sponsored by different campus organizations, and a diverse selection of musical performers.

And, according to the board's chairwoman, the only problem they've encountered so far in the planning has been with the caterer, Aramark. Considering Aramark's notorious history, if that's Frontier's only problem, things are going pretty well.

The whole point of Frontier Fiesta is to bring campus groups together in a celebration -- to party (as if college students really need an excuse to party). Since the tradition began in 1940, the groups on this campus have grown in diversity, and the event needs to reflect that growth.

Of course they say every year that the event is going to be great and dandy, but this year it seems that it just might be all that they say it will. The planning is ahead of schedule, the variety of activities actually looks like there will be some variety, and there have been no major complaints as of yet.

Perhaps the planners of Frontier Fiesta have finally gotten a clue and have learned to include everyone by shifting the focus just enough to allow all groups to enjoy the festivities.

We'll keep our fingers crossed that this time there will be no exclusion, discrimination or other disastrous problems that arose in the past. And in the meantime, let's get together and join in the fun.