"I think being a female adds to the facilitation of alliance formation," one female student said. "We all have a lot of things in common, struggles...and at the woman level. And by nature I think women are more naturally bonding."
However, women from both groups But women from both groups agreed that theyidentify themselves first as members of theirethnic groups and then as women. Finally, Ikpe brought the discussion back toHarvard by questioning interactions on campusbetween the black and Latina communities. Mostparticipants agreed that it is necessary to "openup these communities to everyone." "People fear what they don't understand, and ifit's closed off to them, they'll fear it," onestudent said. They concluded by deciding to sponsor moreinter-ethnic social events to foster futureinteractions. "Hopefully the next component is to have socialevents," Ikpe said. "That will help us to get toknow each other." Ikpe and Alatorre were both pleased with thecourse of the discussion. "I think it went very well; it was one of themost interesting discussions I've been torecently," Ikpe said. "I learned a lot; we learnfrom each other and that's what makes thediscussion so special.