ArtCORE is a program through the Chancellor’s Diversity Initiative that aims to explore diversity through the arts. An event at The Shack showcased spoken word and literature through poetry Friday.

“Almost every culture participates in the arts in one way or another,” Charlie Parker, coordinator of diversity programs for CDI, said. “We often see the Americanized version of the arts, so we developed a platform for people of all backgrounds to express themselves through the arts in their native tongue or expression.”

From Hindi to American Sign Language, from Bulgarian to Vietnamese, the speakers recited both original works and famous poems from their home countries.

“Reading the poems in the poet’s native language brings the utmost authenticity to the piece,” Parker said. “Everything does not fully translate to English, so we want the delivery of the poets to convey what could be lost when translated.”

Though audience members may not have been able to understand the words, tonalities, pauses and variations in voice created meaning and interest in the poems.

“If I just listened to it, I wouldn’t know what she was saying, but I could hear the different tones in her voice so it still made me want to listen,” freshman Kwaeisi Golliday said.

In case the vocal cues didn’t suffice, English translations were projected in the room while each poet read. This way the audience could understand the poems in both a literal and physical way.

Junior Jamie Crockett, who performed her original poem entitled #scratchTHAT in English, encouraged others to speak up in order to make diverse voices heard.

“Being able to listen and understand is something we all need in terms of diversity,” Crockett said.

Crockett supports the open setting of ArtCORE that allows people to convey all possible meanings of each piece because it is read in its indigenous language.

“It allows people to come forward without language or cultural barriers,” Crockett said. “The things they spoke about really hit home. Even if they didn’t relate in the same religious forms, they still made it comfortable.”

The ArtCORE event helps to bridge the gaps between the many diverse groups of people on campus and be a space for students and community members to see the similarities between different cultures.

“We hope to set a fire in the hearts of our fellow tigers to seek out people who are different from themselves,” Parker said.

The night closed with a set by the band Abandon Kansas, a Christian indie rock quartet.

“Abandon Kansas does not just tie into ArtCORE, they are simply part of the heart and soul of what ArtCORE stands for,” Parker said. “They speak of personal experiences and acceptance for all people.”

The band helped to reiterate the messages that were presented by the poets earlier in the evening. Many of the songs reflected the band’s faith, once again giving the audience a chance to learn about a culture that may have been different than their own.

“I thought it was really neat how he shared his faith and how that was really explicit in the songs,” freshman Jessica Journey said.

Parker said the turnout of the event went beyond expectations, and he anticipates the coming ArtCORE events will generate the same enthusiasm as the first.

“A perfect end result for the conclusion of this program will be a refreshed audience that leaves with the thirst to learn and develop a mutual respect for someone from a different culture or walk of life,” Parker said.