For Lynn Van, psychology junior and Asian American who has lived in the United States for 21 years, racism came subtly.

A few years ago, when Van and students from an Asian organization were mountain climbing, a group of white men with open arms welcomed them to the country.

"They were stunned and surprised we spoke English well and didn't ask to 'take pickcha,'" she said, mimicking an accent and stereotype of an Asian tourist.

Van was a panelist at yesterday's "Stop the Hatred" forum, sponsored by SANKOFA, an African-American Resource group for UA faculty, staff and appointed personnel.

The intent of the two-hour discussion was to give people the opportunity to talk about their encounters with racism, said the event's organizer, Tanisha Price, an administrative secretary at Campus Health Services.

"We're focusing on why we hate by sharing experiences," she said.

But, the forum also gave people the opportunity to laugh at their encounters.

"You hear it all the time. It's so outrageous and ridiculous," said panelist Kyle Ethelbah, anthropology junior, referring to the sometimes humorous anecdotes shared with the approximately 70 people in the audience.

Alonzo Williams, president of Tucson's NAACP chapter, said he felt the smack of racism when a store employee refused to refund his money on a gift, but eagerly helped his white friend return the same item.

But panelist Roberto Martinez, Mexican American studies freshman, said his experiences bordered on violence. After an affirmative action walkout in October, Martinez said he was attacked on his way home at night by white students.

"This incident has affected the way I am watching my back and my fellow Mechista's backs." A Mechista is a member of the student group Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA).

"The forum provides a way for people to define the topic of racism," said Veda Hunn, assistant dean of students, who helped mediate the discussion.

"If somebody is not a target of racism, they cannot know what it feels like," said Carla Nunn, regent affairs program coordinator.

Harry Hueston, UAPD deputy chief, said only two or three racial incidents have been reported since 1994.He said racial incidents, like rape, are not always reported because people are intimidated to confront the police.

"We have to go beyond the badge and official stuff and deal with the real stuff," Hueston said.

Before the evening ended, participants brainstormed ways they could combat racism, such as;

• Getting educated to provide role models for people of color;
• Acknowleging that racism exists and discussing it;
• Educating one's community about racism; and
• Encouraging more social interaction among ethnic groups.