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Unification Against Hatred

by Christopher Stahl

“It was really important to have a space for the college community to gather together as one to show their solidarity against what happened in Charlottesville. Against racism, bigotry, hate of all kind. I think it’s really important for us to come together against hate of all kind,” said Director of Diversity, Student Success and Inclusion Eda Watts. On Aug. 11 in Charlottesville, Virginia, many right winged Americans gathered together in a “Unite the Right” rally. Some liberals and conservatives alike considered these protesters as “white supremacists,” which sparked counter-protests. On the second day of the rally, a vehicle going at a high speed slammed into counterprotesters, killing one and wounding 19 others.

Since then, many people have spoken out against what happened on that day, such as Illinois State Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Vermont State Sen. Bernie Sanders and Arizona State Sen. John McCain. Throughout the U.S., vigils and services were held for the deceased counterprotester, Heather Heyer, and against hate itself. Because of these recent events, Blackburn held a service that was intended to be against discrimination on campus. The Solidarity Against Hate event was an opportunity for the Blackburn community to come together to represent their unity. To help put at ease every student on campus who feels threatened by the current state of America.

Watts did not want to have this service cater to a specific religion, but rather “to have college students gather together as one to show their unity against hate.” People who spoke at the event included Blackburn College President Dr. John Comerford, the Chair of Philosophy and Religion Dr. Carter Aikin and any student, faculty or staff member that wanted to speak among the attendees while instrumental music played and words of encouragement were presented on the projector behind them.

President Comerford speaks at the Solidarity Against Hate Service.

The event began with Aikin speaking to the attendees about rallying together against hatred that has been occurring in the U.S. in the previous weeks, calling out the conservative protesters in Charlottesville and labeling them white supremacists. Aikin ended with a closing prayer. Comerford, following Aikin’s speech, compared how these past few weeks have shown the best and the worst in humanity. The best being the relief from Hurricane Harvey, and the worst being the events in Charlottesville. Watts and some students then read poetry to the audience. Afterwards, many students approached the front and spoke out against hate.

Eda Watts and Blackburn students approached the front, reciting poetry.

Watts hoped that every student on campus felt welcomed, and she has plans to react if something of this magnitude happens again by trying to bring in a broader voice to have more impact on students. When asked what she will do if anyone feels threatened on campus, she replied by saying, “By letting everyone on campus, and if we can, off campus, know that intolerable behavior, bullying, harassment of any sort is not tolerated at all. And that should communicate that if that’s even a thought, that you are wanting to move into action, then we are ready to take action.” She wants every person on and off campus to know that “we all have voices” and those voices can be heard.

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