Journal-News.com

By Lindsey Hilty

Staff Writer

Narges Ali, 17, shyly walked across the Lakota East stage Friday wearing traditional Afghan attire called Gand Afghani.

Without her traditional head covering, Narges said she felt odd, but she wore the sparkling outfit to educate her peers on her family's culture and traditions.

The Lakota East Multicultural Club hosted Around the World in Eight Days, a series of assemblies designed to educate students and raise money and awareness for the organization Free the Slaves. The fashion show was the culmination of the series that featured Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

"There are so many ethnic differences in America now-a-days, and a lot of times it causes friction," said Exenia Rocco, 16. "Exposing people to what they don't understand can bridge gaps and create tolerance and acceptance and reduce the friction."

The fashion show, planned by junior Morgan Namian, was a way for students to see the various kinds of dress, she said.

"I've never worked with this kind of fashion before," she said. "I've learned how to say a whole bunch of different words. I also learned how to work with people who have not necessarily lived in America for a long time. We want to show them we do embrace all these together."

For Ali, assimilating into American culture was difficult.

She grew up in Pakistan as a refugee. Each day, she said she would cross the street to the Mosque to learn the Koran, but she often was afraid of men carrying machine guns.

Days after Sept. 11, 2001, she said her family came to the United States. In the airport, she said her family was told to remove their Muslim dress or angry Americans might kill them.

"We said, 'Even if we get killed, we're not taking off our head coverings.' But nobody bothered us," she said.

Understanding cultures is something she said she takes pride in, evidenced by her knowledge of nine languages.

Often the students she passes every day in class do not understand the intricacies of her culture, she said.

"Some people make fun of me and say I am wearing a 'do-rag,' " she said of her head covering.

Exenia said Ali is just one of many multicultural students who has gained confidence by sharing her culture and her story with others. There are more than 70 students at East who participate in the English as a Second Language program.

Exenia's goal was to hold eight assemblies, focusing on different continents. Following each assembly, students could buy ethnic food or a T-shirt to support the Free the Slaves organization. The students raised nearly $1,000.

"It's interactive by definition," Exenia said. "In order to learn about other cultures, you have to be awake and paying attention. I know how to reach people my age. They get to imagine and use all their senses. It's a total sensory experience to experience another culture."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com

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