On April 29th, 2018, at approximately 1:00 a.m., the unspeakable happened to a group of Towson University students. Two Jewish students were verbally and physically assaulted by fellow students, less than a block away from campus.
On September 13th, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., the Towson University campus came together. Students from all different backgrounds, races, ethnicities, religions, and lifestyles came together and met up on campus, where the story of that spring night was shared. At this event, we learned about the events of that night. These students were not attacked randomly. They were attacked for something that defines who they are: their religion.
One of the guest speakers, Dean Shilo said, "But for a moment, in that specific moment, I felt scared about being a proud Jew for the first time in my life." This quote sent a feeling of shock throughout the people there on that day. Nobody should have to feel this sense of fear for being who they are. No one should be afraid that while walking down the street, somebody might come up to them and attack them for being who they are. Later on in his speech, Dean said, "Only with strength and unity can we prosper." This quote, spoken during that solemn and sad time, showed that even in the darkest of days when we are being rained on with hate, we need to stand up and come together.
After Dean's speech, a reverend spoke. The reverend spoke about the community at Towson, saying, "In the event of a catastrophe, you can always tell the make of a community by what it does next." The reverend spoke to everybody on the campus that day. He brought up all the hate we feel and witness every day. He brought up how we as a campus need to come together and face hate.
The president of AEPi, the Jewish fraternity on campus, told me after the rally. "The mission of AEPI is to develop leaders in the Jewish community," he said. "This is what leadership does, brings people together in the face of a bad situation."
On this day, Towson University students, faculty and community all came together in support of fighting against this hatred. Although not everyone knew each other, the support and love that was shown on campus this day was nothing short of incredible. All of the people that showed up for the event did so to show that hate has no place here on our campus. Actually, hate has no place anywhere. This event showed the people of Towson University that we will not stand for harsh treatment. That we will come together in times of need and support our fellow classmates, faculty or even alumni in times of need and hate.
This day showed why I love my university. Towson not only stood together in a dark time of need, but they showed up. Hundreds of students, faculty, and alumni took time out of their busy days to stand together in the darkest of times. This event did not tear our community apart: it brought us closer.
