There are 319 million people living in the United States, 36,157 of them are enrolled at the University of Alabama. In today’s society, we often judge people with no understanding of who they are. There’s no denying it - we’re all guilty. Injustices occur daily across the nation regarding race, religion, sexual orientation, body image. Students are no exception. Students experience injustices daily because of their race, religion or looks. We often develop certain stereotypes about others because of the way we have been raised, or because of the way our friends act towards others.In the past months, the U.S. has seen countless acts of injustices to countless groups of people. Whether it’s Ahmed Mohamed, Caitlyn Jenner, or the victims of the Charleston shooting, there have been too many stories of intolerance. Fourteen students from five different schools share their stories.
University of North Georgia | University of Houston
Elliot Spillers
By: Margaret Gehlsen
Last year, the University of Alabama's Student Government Association elected a new president with a record-breaking number of votes. Elliot Spillers became our SGA's second black president and the first non-Machine candidate to take office since 1986.
While Spillers has served as a symbol of diversity and change for the university, it hasn't been a simple journey to get to where he is today.
Spillers says it is both an honor and a blessing to serve as SGA President, and although he does recognize the pride and joy his position brings to generations of minorities, he believes there is still work to be done in breaking barriers on our campus.
During his campaign for SGA Presidency, he says he understood the importance this position (president) could mean, not just because he was black, but even more so because he isn't a part of the Greek community, a common denominator among former SGA Presidents.
"As a freshman, I analyzed the campus climate and understood we lacked diversity and inclusion," Spillers says. "When viewing those in student leadership roles such as SGA or Capstone Men and Women I found it odd there were hardly any minorities of color or non-Greek affiliation. It allowed me to question the reasoning behind this, which I attributed to an institutional problem called The Machine."
Make no mistake, Elliot has many friends in the Greek community, and during his campaign, it was never his goal to demolish The Machine, but rather "challenge the negative cycle they had built."
When the University of Alabama "Spilled the Vote" in March of 2015, Spillers had some very important people by his side. Although at times he inevitably doubted his ability to achieve the position of SGA President, he says his friendships and his team were able to make their visions for our campus a reality. A motivated individual, Spillers says he couldn't accept not trying.
As far as change on our campus goes since he was elected, Spillers has seen signs of progress but recognizes we still have a ways to go. Recently, SGA launched the It's On Us campaign to combat sexual assault, and through his and other members of SGA's efforts, they were able to incorporate several other student organizations into the mix.
Not only does this bring more attention to the issue of sexual assault on our campus, but it also brings inclusion and diversity.
In fact, Spillers' hope as SGA President is to create a position entitled the Director of Multi-cultural Affairs, which would help to include "traditionally excluded groups into the systematic processes of student government." He says most schools in the SEC have a position similar to this one, ensuring equality and diversity on their campuses.
"By acknowledging these institutionalized problems exist, we not only progress our campus, but set an example for the state as well. I've never lost hope in this university, and I have faith in its new leadership to continue moving us forward," Spillers says.
Although we previously had to wait a lengthy period of time for change to arise at The Capstone, Spillers says that will no longer be an issue.
"In this generation, opportunities should flow freely between competing groups without fear or hesitation," he says. "The time is now."
McKenna Granger
By: Darby Crane
McKenna Granger is an Alabama student to look up to. She always is put together and has a smile on her face. She is a sophomore at the University of Alabama, and a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Granger is an accounting major and dedicates a lot of her free time doing homework and studying, putting her academics first. Her outgoing personality makes her admired my many, she never meets a stranger or makes someone feel unwelcome.
What you would not know about Granger is that she is a student of injustice. But, that doesn't make sense does it? Her life looks perfect from the outside.
Not only does Granger seem like she has it all going for her, her relationship does too. Granger and her boyfriend Josh have been dating for almost nine months, which is an admirable feat, especially for their long-distance relationship.
Josh is everything most girls want in a guy. He is tall, athletic, strong, not to mention the way he treats Granger like a princess. One thing you didn't know is that Josh is black. Does that change how you view him? It shouldn’t, but unfortunately for some people it does.
Granger sat down and told me stories of the injustices she has been through with her interracial relationship. She told a story of injustice that happens all too often for her.
“After a football game last year I went out to dinner with my roommate and her dad. Her dad casually said, “so my daughter tells me you love n******.”
Her roommate would constantly call her a n**** lover, and would make comments regarding the race of guys she hung out with or dated.
“It got to the point where I couldn’t live with her because it continuously revolved around race. Every time I would go out she'd be like oh are you going to hangout with n*****? She would use the hard -er, she totally thought it was normal to use that word.”
“I try not to let things like that affect me, because you can’t help who you fall in love with. I was just sort of blown away by it," Granger says. "It affected me in the way that the South can really still be like that, I have never experienced anything like that in Colorado."
"That was sad to me that this is still alive," Granger said. "This was a realization moment that, wow, people can still be stuck in the past.”
This article is meant to open eyes, start a dialogue and educate people. Injustices are fueled by fear and lack of understanding. And it's time for that to end. Please treat everyone equally and with respect. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn something new.
