Letting their voices be heard

Saying the time has come to let their voices be heard, about 60 students rallied Thursday night in support of racial justice and tolerance. “When we as a campus see something wrong, we should stand up and say something, let our voices be heard,” said rally organizer and Black Student Union member Joe Worthy.

The rally was in response to the racially and emotionally charged Jena 6 case in Louisiana.  At the rally, the group – a diverse mix of students of many ethnicities, faculty and staff members – also heard from Student Senate President Holly Romelfanger, who said she was proud her fellow students were willing to take a stand against injustice. “We need to do our part to not let this happen on our campus.” The rally, she added, was “a first step” toward fighting intolerance. “We can help to be part of a larger solution. Racism affects all of us. Nothing good comes from it.”

Student Eric Davis, representing the Young Democrats, talked about the root of racism, calling it “an evil that has been plaguing our country for centuries.” The Jena 6 incident “shows racism still exists,” Davis said. There are two options to address the issue: legal action or personal action. “We can look at ourselves as a society and as individuals and ask, ‘Are we promoting racism every day?’”

“If we are going to make a difference in ridding ourselves of this, we have to take a look inside. No matter what color we are, we’re all equal. We need to show each other love.”

Sarah Reed, a senior, performed an original song and also sang John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and poetry also was read as part of the rally.

 
Posted 10-12-2007