I was able to attend the meeting yesterday for about an hour and I'm really glad I went. I wasn't aware of how many outright acts of racism that have occurred on the campus. We've discussed how racism has, in modern times, become institutionalized and hidden in the wrinkles of society. But it isn't always the case. The acts of physical, direct, and purposeful racism need to be reported and properly dealt with on campus--they cannot be quietly ignored.
I think meetings like that shouldn't just happen when concerns arise. There should be a constant and open dialogue on campus about issues of race and diversity. I also think that education is extremely important in discussing these issues. When freshman are first received on the campus, they should have a mandatory meeting informing them of the various issues on campus and to let them know that acts of intolerance on campus will not be tolerated.
The responsibility to educate and facilitate discussion of diversity should not be placed solely on students' shoulders--it is the administration's responsibility to ensure that all students feel safe and accepted.
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