Two Miami students are facing misdemeanor charges after they defaced a bulletin board in Wells Hall. Their graffiti contained anti-Semitic, homophobic and anti-female phrases and sayings.

As a student I can honestly say this does not shock me. Culturally, Miami is not very diverse.

However, this type of behavior in a dorm, especially a first year dorm, isn't really helping things on the diversity front. These sort of acts make people extremely uncomfortable. It also makes it increasingly clear that although we have come a long way with racism and social issues, we still have a long way to go.

First semester, I remember one of my professors telling me that when he was first hired here he was called into an office due to complaints from parents that their children were being taught by a man of color. This was a mere 20 years ago.

While I was disappointed when I heard about the incident in Wells Hall, I can't say I was surprised. The two stories lined up pretty well. If students' parents are intolerant of other cultures it would make sense that their children would be more inclined to feel the same way, especially if they are first-years just leaving the nest. In short, racism isn't learned, it's taught.

This was an extreme case that bared its teeth in a very public place and offended many people. However, there are racist comments made on Yik Yak, a popular app that allows people to post things anonymously everyday here.

President Hodge's address to the student body via email was straightforward and well written. However, I don't think that this is an issue that should be addressed over an email to the entire student body; it's a lot more serious than that.

Programs like "I Am Miami" and other things that the university has put in place to try and make students better, more accepting people are steps in the right direction, but students are obligated to participate in them as incoming freshman during orientation, and therein lies the problem. People have to genuinely want to change. The university cannot set up B.S. programs (for lack of a better term) and expect people to take them seriously, or make an impact on anything.

Change has to come from within, and the only thing the administration can do is remain hopeful that the people who commit these sorts of crimes against their own peers will rise above their close-minded views and seek equality.