There has been a lot of news stories around the topic of race. With the hashtag #blacklivesmatter revolving around stories about cops being discriminative against certain races and social classes, it's hard to ignore news like this. The most recent news stories involve the University of Missouri (or as it is called in the news and for Missourians, Mizzou) You might have seen hashtags like #InSolidarityWithMizzou or #ConcernedStudent1950 in your social media. These are all related to the recent events that have happened at Mizzou. Here is the short version of what is happening.
On Monday, Nov. 9, 2015, an anonymous phone call was made to Mizzou's Oldham Black Culture Center, threatening to harm and kill students of color. What started as a phone call quickly went to social media such as Yik Yak. On Yik Yak the following posts could be seen from anonymous users directed at Mizzou students of color:
"I'm going to stand my ground tomorrow and shoot every black person I see."
"We're waiting for you in the parking lot. We will kill you."
People. This is 2015. I never thought that I would live in a time when race was still an issue. I never thought that hate and discrimination toward multiple races would still exist. This kind of behavior is ugly, cruel, and should not happen anywhere to anyone. The students of color at Mizzou have to fear for their lives instead of feeling safe while going to class or making memories with their friends.
These are college students! These are students my age or younger! These students have fathers, mothers, siblings, families who love them and worry for their safety.
I was not alone in feeling this way. On Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, my roommates, friends, and myself, went to a peaceful protest being run on my campus to show support for Mizzou students and show them that they are not alone and they do not have to live in fear. (Mom, Dad, if you're reading this - don't worry, I didn't skip any of my classes and I didn't get arrested.) Most of the students who showed up came with their professor, who encouraged them to use class time to come join this peaceful movement. We stood on the steps of Wilson Hall and marched peacefully around campus chanting "MU for Mizzou," "Black Lives Matter," "What do we want? Racial Justice! When do we want it? NOW!" and much more. I also took to social media and posted the following to show my support for Mizzou students:
"To the students of color at Mizzou, we, student allies of Monmouth University, stand with you in solidarity. To those who threaten their safety, the world is watching. #InSolidarityWithMizzou #ConcernedStudent1950"
Show your support for your fellow students and do something to raise awareness of this issue. Let Mizzou students see that you do not tolerate what is happening to them.
