Considering the famous quote ‘everyone is different just like everyone else,’ the UNA NAACP chapter plans to celebrate the differences between people rather than becoming divided because of them.

“The purpose for NAACP at UNA is to give people another option for diversity,” said president Destiny Battles. “As a college chapter, it is about influencing college students to have an opinion about issues in the world — educating themselves about diversity and about being a citizen in America today.”

The organization will host two events to promote its goals during November.

The Last Call Open Mic Night is Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the GUC.

“It’s a chance for students to be anything they want to be,” Battles said. “It gives UNA an alternative to going out — maybe staying on campus and enjoying your fellow students’ entertainment.”

Battles said the organization hosts open mic night the third Monday of each month, but this time the group is going for a classy theme that is “grown and sexy.”

She said the entertainment includes singing, speaking, poetry reading and playing music, and free food will be served.

The organization also will host Beneath the Mask: The Importance of Individuality Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. in GUC Room 207.

“It is a way for us to get you to take off the masks you wear everyday and to become open to the people around you.” Battles said. “If we were all supposed to be the same, do the same things and dress the same, we would’ve had the same finger prints — everything would’ve been the same.

“But, it’s not. We have different fingerprints, different personalities, and we think different things are funny. We are all different people — there are no two people exactly the same.”

Junior Erica Butler said she has attended several events NAACP hosted, and she thinks it is important for all students to embrace diversity.

“It’s important for people to know even though we’re different, we’re really all the same in that we’re all people,” Butler said. “It’s really interesting to experience the NAACP’s events and see people of all races and backgrounds come together.”

Battles said the event reflects the organization’s main theme — equality.

“Everybody immediately thinks, because we are the NAACP, we are only for African-Americans,” she said. “Whether you’re in SGA or a sorority or fraternity, gay or straight, or white or African-American, everyone is welcome.”

Butler agreed students should not let the group’s name and historical significance make them think they are not welcome to attend the events and get involved.

“Don’t let the name scare you away,” she said. “There’s people there that are white, African-American, Asian-American, all kinds of people.”

Battles said she wants students to understand everyone’s rights should be the same.

“Everybody’s a color, whether you’re beige, olive, black, purple, green or orange,” she said.