Students rally against hate

Students, faculty and community members flocked to the Quad Tuesday for the “No Oppression Tolerated” rally, and listened to student representatives speak out against hate and oppression.

Associated Students of Boise State University, in conjunction with other organizations put on the rally in response to an attack last week in which a student on the Boise River Greenbelt said he was assaulted because of his sexual orientation.

Other recent reports of discrimination and intolerance on campus also prompted Tuesday’s event, organizers said.

ASBSU Pro Tem Amy Ortmann, challenged students and administration to be involved in creating a safe environment on campus.

“I realize you are hurt, I am here. I am willing to be part of the solution,” Ortmann said.

The messages from nearly all the speakers were similar. However, Senior Resident Advisor Sean Connolly felt the individuals who needed the message most were not in attendance.

“It’s the people who aren’t here today who are the ones who are causing this violence, who are causing this hate,” Connolly said.

Whitney Johnson, member of the Organization for Gender equality and education, spoke out against the current lack of policy regarding student safety.

“A gag must have been placed over our administration’s mouths also, since it had to get to this point before anything was done or heard of, of the extreme hate here at Boise State University,” Johnson said.

“The slogan ‘No Oppression Tolerated’ are just words, we must change our policies, our actions and our stance as a university.” Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Laliberte said the faculty has been working on the rally since its inception. He thinks students look to the faculty for maternal support, and urges students to take action.

“Take your campus back,” Laliberte said.

Laliberte said the BSU staff is also working on a panel discussion where University President Bob Kustra will be involved. The panel is set to take place the week of Nov. 27, and students are invited to participate. Additionally, BSU radio, the University Pulse, is interested in providing another opportunity for discussion.

“As far as Student Radio is concerned, we want an open forum on hate on campus,” Robert Ormond, general manager of Student Radio said. “We have certain rights that are ours to demand … citizens’ rights, and citizens’ responsibilities, for all and not just for ourselves.”

Despite the tension on campus, third year student Juan Morales said he still maintains a positive attitude about diversity at BSU.

“When I see this campus, what I envision is different cultures, different languages, different people coming together, standing for what it is that they feel is right,” Morales said.

BARRY FRANKLIN AND CEAN SIEGEL
Arbiter Staff

Short URL: http://arbiteronline.com/?p=20844

Posted by Archive on Nov 16 2006. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.