Approaching 45 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his I Have a Dream speech on the Lincoln Memorial. Within that speech, Dr. King hoped that his children would one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. The acts of some Ohio University students continue to make King's words all too relevant decades after his speech. Several Ohio University students have chosen to host and attend racially motivated theme parties where attendees are expected to adhere to negative and discriminatory stereotypes associated with African-Americans. Invitations on Facebook have listed fried chicken
40 oz. malt liquor, and costume contests to be the stereotypes of choice.
These types of situations are sad and disconcerting. As racially intolerant practices such as these become known, fewer minority students who have constantly dealt with the pressure of stereotypes will want to attend this university. This, a school that already has one of the least diverse student bodies in the nation, will have an even tougher time recruiting not just racial minorities, but any minority who might be disheartened by such insensitive and derogatory activities. All Ohio University students must work together to make this university an open and accepting environment for every current and future student.
We hope that Ohio University students and the larger university community will work together in educating and raising awareness about discriminatory parties and events affecting all minority populations both on and off campus. Additionally, a resolution condemning the aforementioned actions committed by Ohio University students will be introduced at the Jan. 28 meeting of the Ohio University Graduate Student Senate. The individuals signing this letter are also in support of the forthcoming GSS resolution.Signing this letter are Graduate Student Senate members: Joshua Phillips, Department Representative for Political Science; Merrian Brooks, Senator for the College of Osteopathic Medicine; Cherish Odom, Vice President for Communications; Alyssa Thomas, Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences; and James G. Archibald, Department Representative for Educational Studies. Also signing this letter are: Tiffany Teofilo, Kristin Strobel, Haley McDonough, Erica Butcher, Scott Robison, Amy Robison and Tess Leyser.
17
Archives
Letter to the Editor
