Controversy at the Valley
Walking into the lunchroom Thursday December 3rd I expected it to go like every other Thursday: stand in the overly long lines just to get the infamous chicken tenders. But instead the lunch was interrupted by a group of students, who choose to stand up and express how they felt. The group was multiracial and presented a script that addressed many issues that needed to be covered, from racism, to negative connotations, to more equality, and an overall better atmosphere for minorities.
I found it really shocking, sitting with my best friend, who happened to be African American… that not until that very moment did it occur to me that I we were sitting together, black and white. For me personally, I feel as though this only heightened the problem and made the boundaries between racial groups more noticeable and obvious. I personally judge a person for their actions, and behaviors, anything they can be held responsible for. It does not matter, black, white, purple, grey, short, tall, fat, skinny, about appearance… but instead how one acts and behaves. For those behaviors are what dictate a person being good or bad.
Now this is not to say that the problems they addressed do not exist, yes multicultured students are minorities, yes there probably are racist people or those who make unnecessary comments or remarks. Is this right?! Absolutely not. Should something be done? ABSOLUTELY! But, the way in which it was handled Thursday was not necessarily the best approach. I felt offended, and grouped in with those that were “negatively treating and racist” towards the minority groups here at LVC. I love everyone, unless you do something to me personally. I except anyone for who they are and consider myself friendly towards ALL groups, yet I felt embarrassed to be white at that very moment, and to be grouped with those who were behaving so poorly to my fellow classmates.
I will never know what it’s like to be black and segregated against at LVC, and I am sick that this still occurs. The problem needs to be addressed, but accusing everyone during a lunch session may not be the best way to handle it. I saw backlash and people fighting on social media as a result. People were hurt and confused, and then anger and hostility just spread like wildfire. I saw people who were strangers, and could have potentially been friends, bashing each other for their own beliefs and arguing all over Facebook. Now there is even discussion of changing the building name Lynch to something without a racial background. The building lynch is named after Dr. Clyde Lynch, former president of the college. In no way does this word have any relation or context that is racially negative. Along with this name change, there are a variety of changes to be made at LVC that a group petitioned. I think something needs to be done to make EVERY student feel safe and protected. No one should feel unsafe or unwanted, so we should definitely address the problems that relate directly to the students who were brave enough to ask for help, but at the same time we should not accuse or slander anyone in the time being to get a point across.