The act of hate that was allegedly committed in Ogg Hall right before winter break has sparked a lot of commentary, concern and controversy. The alleged crime consisted of four students, two of them from the University of Wisconsin, vandalizing a bulletin board with information and resources for LGBT students and writing threatening messages directed toward the LGBT housing liaison outside of his room. Viewing this incident from a campus safety-minded perspective, I see it as being indicative of something that is a tremendous threat to the safety of our campus community members here at the University of Wisconsin. That threat is hate.
Hatred has its roots in ignorance, misunderstanding and fear of that which is different from you. While everyone has a right to disagree with others' views and behaviors and to express that disagreement in appropriate ways, hateful acts that terrorize others and/or threaten the physical safety of another cannot be tolerated. The University of Wisconsin has high expectations for students. We have tremendous opportunities for learning and growing right in front of us. The expectation is that we are able to express our opinions through speech and writing in a way that is intellectual and articulate rather than in ways that are threatening, intimidating and hateful.
Hate is often the driving force behind many acts — from verbal harassment to genocide — that leave a devastating effect. Such ignorant and dangerous acts of hatred put the safety of fellow human beings at serious risk. On our campus, the presence of hate and intolerance are very real threats of which we should be ashamed; threats we should all be committed to eradicate.
In Ogg Hall, a student was targeted because of his sexual orientation. It takes a tremendous amount of courage to be open and honest about one's sexual orientation when it is regarded to be outside the realm of what is considered mainstream. On our very campus, one such display of courage was met with vandalism and hateful, threatening messages. How are other members of the LGBT community supposed to feel safe after such an aggressive attack was made against part of their identity? Once an act of hate is committed against one group, it changes the climate and creates fear and frustration among all marginalized groups.
I know that there are many bright minds and well-intentioned hearts on this campus. I would like this to be a call to students to eliminate their role as passive bystanders and take an active stance against hate toward all marginalized groups. If we want a campus community where people feel — and in reality actually are — safe to express who they are, whether that be in terms of sexual orientation, religion, culture or political views, then we, as students, need to stand up to behavior and language that expresses hatred and threatens harm. We also need to look internally at our own views, which may be fueled by hatred. We need to step up and show support for others. Speak up when you hear homophobic language or jokes. Think critically about the messages that are being conveyed and the effects they have on our campus climate. Do they promote a climate in which individuals feel safe to live their lives and express who they are? Challenge faculty who may make offensive comments. Look into joining the Student Allies Program or participate in the Safe Zone training in the residence halls. Do something that sends the message that we, as students, will not tolerate any act that threatens the safety of any one of our fellow students. Do not just think of tolerance and understanding as nice ideas, but be proactive in striving to achieve these ideals.
Julia Harkins is the Campus Safety Coordinator at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
