AS MEMBERS of the black student community at the University, we are frustrated and completely outraged by the plethora of vicious acts of hate and intolerance targeting our student community. It is a disgrace that even in the year 2005, black students continue to face both verbal and psychological abuse from communities in which we invest ourselves.
We cannot and will not allow these cowardly insults to dismantle our comfort and security. Each and every student of this institution has earned his or her rightful place among the brightest individuals that our nation has to offer. This is just as much our university as any other white, Asian, Latino or LGBT student; we refuse to let anyone take that away from us.
What is more disturbing than the attacks themselves, however, is the lack of student support and activism within the University community. The rally on Saturday attracted the same crowd that it does every time there is hate crime: leaders and members from Honor, Sustained Dialogue, the National Organization for Women, the Asian Student Union, the Minority Rights Coalition, the Queer Student Union and La Alianza, to name a few. We are grateful for the support from our allies; however, it is obvious that the message of tolerance and respect is not getting through to all students.
Even though no one has the power to prevent racial attacks from occurring, we as students of the University must stop yielding to the grips of apathy and take accountability for the injustices plaguing our community of trust. We must analyze ourselves and realize that we possess the power to guarantee tolerance for our fellow University family; it is as simple as having the courage to say "It's not okay" when one attempts to degrade another student based on race, gender, ethnicity or religion. It is the responsibility of each student to send a message that such acts will not be tolerated by anyone at anytime in any community.
We must also possess the courage to ask the "hard questions," to hold the University accountable for the lack of security felt within our communities. Why are our bus stops on Grounds so dark? Why are there no cameras on the Lawn, an area recently and continuously targeted by perpetrators to spread their ignorance? If we can get anywhere up to six police officers to patrol a single Black Fraternal Council party, then why are police so hard to find at night on Grounds? Where is our chief diversity officer, and what other measures is the University taking to ensure student's safety from intolerance? It is our responsibility as students to ask questions, and it is the job of the University to answer.
We as student leaders need to continue to support each other in both times of crisis and eras of good feelings. Racial incidents may happen every day, and it is our responsibility to take a stand every time that they occur. Support coalitions and programs such as the Minority Rights Coalition and Sustained Dialogue that specifically bring student groups together in order to transcend intolerance. Reach out to communities in times of crisis; let them know that you care and that you are in support of their measures. A community, in times of crisis, cannot stand alone. Our survival depends on the active support of others.
Remember, this is our University -- students of every race, ethnicity, religion and community. Do not allow acts of intolerance to destroy this institution. It is time for us to reclaim our community of trust.
Aaron Blake is president of the Black Student Alliance and a third year in the College. Jessica Childress is the Black Student Alliance's vice president of issues and is also a College third year.
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