'Real World' cast teaches tolerance

MJ Garrett and Karamo Brown, of MTV's "Real World: Philadelphia," spoke to just under 350 students in the Mabel Brown Room Nov. 2, in an event that was aimed for discussion about tolerance and diversity, but will likely be remembered for condom-throwing and Garrett's tattoo display. During a laid back talk over such issues as stereotypes, responsible drinking, and safe sex, Brown said, "You would hate to ruin your life over one night." At that point Garrett advised the female students, "Don't let the guy talk you into (having unprotected sex)." "Don't fall for it, use a condom," said Brown, at which point, a male student threw a condom down from the second floor to the speakers sitting on their stools, causing laughter among the overwhelmingly female crowd. The interaction between the speakers and the crowd began early, when Garrett and Brown asked audience members whether they felt they understood the two Real Worlders just from television alone. "Most people think they know who you are... they just see bits and pieces of it," said Garrett. The two later estimated that only about two percent of the entire filming ends up in episodes. "I've never seen anybody like me on television," said Brown, who is a gay African-American who doesn't fall into the queer eye for the straight guy stereotype that is portrayed in the media. "(I went on the 'Real World') so people can meet somebody like me. You make friends that look like you, act like you. My purpose was to grow as a person." Despite being a minority, Brown admitted that he didn't have a diverse array of friends until he came to the "Real World." "I really wasn't diverse. It's one of the most important things you can learn in your life." Garrett, a blond-haired Tennessean, said he found it more difficult to deal with Brown and roommate Willie Hernandez's homosexuality. Garrett said that his first impression that he gained from where he was raised was that "gay people want to have sex with me." Garrett said rooming at the "Real World" "was a powerful thing for me to do. (Gay people) are human as well." The overall message that Brown said he wanted to portray was that it's important for everybody to reach out to others that wouldn't normally be in the same social circle. Just from the "Real World" experience, Brown said he'd never experienced people like his other roommates. "Go outside your comfort zone. It's all about learning the differences of other people." After speaking about issues for a half hour, the two speakers opened the floor for questions which ranged from asking questions about the show to wanting to see Garrett's star tattoo on his shoulder. "I think it went really well. They were funny, easy to relate to. It was a good way to get across a good message," said Kelly Mullane, Social Activities Council's special events coordinator. Mullane said that SAC voted in September on bringing cast members from "Real World" to discuss diversity and tolerance because KSC doesn't have many minorities on campus. "We had a great turnout, everyone here was pretty excited," said Mullane of the audience, but added that she wished more males had gone to the event. Freshman Ashley Chamberlain said she believed the celebrity of the Real Worlders is what brought a larger crowd. "It was a lot of fun. They're a lot more entertaining than I thought at first," said Chamberlain, while her friend freshman Jolene Johnson nodded her head. Chamberlain said she had some reservations over the issues Brown and Garrett brought up to the students. "I don't think it was anything we didn't already know," she said. Chamberlain and Johnson were also disappointed that students were only allowed to take group pictures with Garrett and Brown, and not individual shots. When Mullane announced that the reality television stars were available for photos, students rushed outside to get into a packed line that extended from the student government offices to the stairwell. Juniors Heather King, Tracie Taft, and Suzanne Moore said they came to the lecture after having watched the "Real World": Philadelphia season. "I think they nailed it pretty well," said King.