The programming began Monday night with a screening of the movie "With Honors." "We felt as though the movie was most appropriate as the kickoff for the rest of the week because it's lighthearted ... and yet inspirational," said Laura Kim '06, the coordinator of awareness week.
As part of awareness week, students spent a few hours on the Valentine quad last night to try to understand homelessness. "[The event] is designed to force the volunteers to experience the daily life of someone who has no other option than to sleep outside in the cold every night," said Leigh Rivlin '07. The group tried to sleep outside but could not due to a miscommunication with Campus Police.
NSCAHH is holding a discussion tonight at 8 p.m. about homelessness in America. Professor of Economics Steve Rivkin facilitated the discussion.
The week will culminate tomorrow evening with the Hunger Banquet. To attend, students must bring $2 or a non-perishable food item. Each attendee will then get a card with an "assignment" to a first, second or third world country. "The few people who get tickets from wealthy countries will get a more lavish meal. Those who have tickets from poorer countries may have bread and water or rice for dinner," said Erin Murphy '05, one of the week's organizers. "This exercise is supposed to raise awareness about the global inequality of the distribution of food."
"As Amherst College students, we have so many privileges relative to the majority of other people out there," said Kim. "I don't want to get all mushy about it, but it feels like a loving duty to give back to your own community."