It's 2019, No One Should Have To Live In Fear Anymore
Start writing a post
Community

It's 2019, No One Should Have To Live In Fear Anymore

A response to growing bigotry on college campuses.

22
It's 2019, No One Should Have To Live In Fear Anymore

This past Sunday, I received an email from the President of my college, addressing some stickers that were posted around campus. Students post random stickers all the time, on light posts and telephone poles, of the different organizations they're in, or of a funny phrase.

But, I couldn't believe-- or perhaps I didn't want to believe-- that I would find stickers posted by a white supremacist Neo-Nazi group, and our campus was not the only one affected. Apparently, over the weekend, over 200 campuses found these stickers.

It is 2019. We live in a society where mass shootings are shocking and gruesome, but part of our lives now. Where hate-filled graffiti and vandalism is reported about on the nightly news and washed away the next day, not spoken about again. Where it is necessary to have armed security officers stationed out front of houses of worship.

When will enough be enough?

As Americans, we have the right to free speech, but what separates free speech and hate speech, where words call out for the extermination of a people?

I did not come to college to live my life in fear, I came to learn. But how can I learn when there is still that looming fear that somebody who wishes I was dead will do something horrific?

Fellow students post racist and hateful content online, only to get a slap on the wrist from school officials. How will they ever learn that what they do is completely unacceptable if they know they'll just have to write an apology letter as a consequence? And what does that say to the students who were attacked or affected by the content?

We shouldn't have to live our lives in fear of retaliation or discrimination based on religion, race, or identity. Every day, we see history repeating itself and nobody doing anything to stop it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

62089
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

40581
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

961352
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

207712
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments