With recent hate crimes specifically targeting students of color happening all over college campuses including right here at Framingham State, we at Her Campus Framingham vow to be allies in the fight against racism. How can you be an ally and help?
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1. Acknowledgement
Acknowledge that racism still exists. Acknowledge your white privilege. Acknowledge that things need to be questioned and be changed. If we ignore the crimes being committed around us it breeds ignorance. We need to pay attention to every micro aggression we see and hear and stop it in its tracks. If you are white, acknowledge that you in fact have white privilege and use your voice to speak for others who are silenced because of their skin color. Make people uncomfortable by asking questions that they might not want to think about the answers. Question things that seem unfair and work to change them in and outside of school.
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2. If you see something, say something.
Is that annoying kid from down the hall making racist jokes in the elevator again? Shut it down. If you over hear a group of students talking and they use the n-word, confront them. Ask them why such a degrading and hateful word is still even considered to be used in their vocabulary. Basically just always be vigilant of blatant racists acts and don’t be afraid to hold people accountable whether it be by reporting them or speaking to them directly.
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3. End Cultural Appropriation
Halloween is coming up and every year there is always someone who decides it’s such a great idea to make a costume out of someone else’s culture. Speak up and say no. There are so many other costumes to choose from that “Sexy Native American” cannot be at the top of someone’s list. Not knowing that costumes like this are not acceptable is unheard of in 2017. Countless articles, videos, and interviews have been published so that this issue is impossible to ignore. Playing dumb when someone confronts you at a party is no longer an option.
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4. Attend Events
At least two events have been held on campus so that students and other members of the school community like faculty could come together to speak on the crimes. If you truly care about the issues we face as a country today, you should be at these events. Even if you don’t speak at the event, you can show support by attending. Just by listening to different stories of how the crimes affect members of the school community and educating yourself on the issues, you can be a better ally.
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5. Unify
If you look at the total population of Framingham State and compare it to the attendance of the open forum held on the Monday after the hate crimes occurred over the weekend, it was only a small percentage. We all need to work together to make sure the administration does not let off the investigation of the hate speech. We are a school community; if one student is targeted then everyone should rise up in support of that
student and be behind them 100%. There is no “Oh this doesn’t affect me. Why does it matter?” Maybe it doesn’t affect you directly because of the privilege that comes with the color of your skin, but it should matter to you because as students at this school we are always referred to as a Framily and we should damn well act like one. If we are not coming together to stop hate crimes and blatant racism on campus then I don’t know what we’ll come together for.
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6. Be a Friend
Take the time to hug people. Give random smiles to strangers in passing. Comfort those affected by the situation. Be sensitive that maybe you don’t directly understand what they’re going through, but let them know you are there for them. Support one another as the battle is being fought. Even though some days are tougher than others, you will always be there for them no matter what storm of ignorance you may face.