How far have we really come?
In my opinion, we have come very far, but we still have a long way to go.
On a campus that speaks about diversity very often, has seminars, classes and clubs that all focus on the word “diversity” and accepting others, how can we at the same time be breeding people who are so ignorant of that topic? How is that? What, as a school, can we do to reach out to everyone and share the fact that times have changed for the better, and one cannot survive in this world being closed-minded?
When I see this, I can only think of the struggles African Americans went through over 50 years ago when most things and places were segregated, and blacks and whites did not share the same rights.
So, I ask, if we now live in a post-racial society, why are we still seeing things in this way?
I have had conversations with many people about different racial issues, and about how blacks have to work harder for things, but in a more abstract way.
Things are not as obvious as they were before, and we are now forced to endure a different type of struggle.
Here at Slippery Rock, we have our own racial history about different things that have occurred, and this can only be added to the list.
Many people may have seen the garbage can and ignored it, but I could not do such a thing.
Not only does the illustrator spell the word “niggers” wrong, but the biggest problem is the illustrator’s ignorance.
There are many different things in place to add diversity to this campus, but when we are forced to see things like this, how should we feel? How should incoming students feel when they see this? How are parents supposed to react when they see this?
This does not represent Slippery Rock as a whole, I know.
But the fact that there are people in the same classes, living in the same dorms and walking the same steps as you that do not accept you and do not want you here is very uncomfortable.
The only thing we can do is educate our students and continue to be advocates for those who are different than ourselves.
This is not just about race, but all issues of diversity. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and confront someone when something is not right.
Oliver Laniear
Sophomore criminology major
