Speech professor Tabatha Roberts’ voice shared the bone-chilling experience her student had on campus. Another student told Roberts’ student that her time was up, she was going to get lynched.

Roberts’ student was  Hispanic, and her voice shook through her as she explained the hurt she felt as a professor, as a human.

The recent presidential election spawned fear, anger and sadness in some students To combat the mixed emotions, Student Life Director Chuck Steele and Diversity and Inclusion professor Drake Swope hosted a “Campus Conversation,” inviting all members of the community to discuss their insecurities with recent events and have an open conversation for those feeling unheard.

As each person entered the conversation, a sticker that read: “#notonmycampus” was handed out.

Roberts was not the only individual to share her feelings about the new, seemingly dangerous, environment that had begun to form on campus.

Alizay Rizvi*, a Muslim student, shyly raised her hand, yet expressed her nerves once Steele asked her to speak.

“I’m not sure if I should say anything,” said Rizvi.

Without delay, Steele, Swope, and the entirety of the packed room told her she was exactly where she needed to be to share and to speak. The exchange of support expressed was a representation of the conversation and the dynamic Steele and Swope were facilitating. The goal was to be respectful, to listen, and to keep the political discussions to a minimum.

“Let’s bring this down to COD,” said Steele often throughout the open discussion.

Rizvi shared how her headscarf, a hijab, makes her and other Muslim women feel like targets. She explained accounts of being afraid to leave their homes because their beliefs were so prominent.

The conversation had begun primarily with worries stemming from the election, yet more was uncovered as voices began to feel more comfortable.

Student Darius Jefferson, as well as student Tariro Jakachira, shared their feelings as young African-American men, wanting for each person in the room to understand the discrimination and prejudice so focused on them, such as being called “a nigger.”

With the election as the subject, Jakachira pointed out how standpoints may be unifying to one person but terrorizing to another.

Many students talked about their observations of the clique-type actions seen by members of different races.

“You walk into the cafeteria and blacks are sitting with blacks, whites are sitting with whites, Asians are sitting with Asians,” said a student. “You don’t see them talking to one another.”

Discrimination felt from COD’s athletics department and campus police was even shared, saying that it has been witnessed many times where campus police had given more attention to white students, while ignoring others. Students and faculty were shocked to hear this, not realizing that issues like such appeared on our own campus.

A once-empty room filled with chairs, as the conversation continued. From wall to wall, community members filled the safe space. Faculty such as professors Derek Willis, Kenneth Gray and Dennis Emano filled the chairs. Students of all colors and interests sat and listened. Student Body President Kiley Pooler and Student Trustee Lucy Escamilla appeared to hear their fellow student’s thoughts.

President Ann Rondeau was silent behind each person. With a wrinkled brow she shook her head to hear various accounts of what has happened on her campus.

There were people feeling other emotions. Some were appreciated, learning there was a place to share their discomfort, but student and veteran, Zakee Smith stood up with a somber feeling of disappointment.

“Where were you all before?” asked Smith. “Where were you all at our other discussions? Why is this only an issue now?”

Smith continued about how the concept of discussing the diversity and racism on campus, even in the world, is not a new idea. It has happened many times with the diversity and Inclusion workshops. Smith even shared how racism did not spring up because of the campaign and the election. It has always been an issue, he said, but now we only pay attention because a white woman did not win.

Various students and faculty continued the conversation, but Steele and Swope directed the discussion on to the solutions that the student body can present so that the campus may make real, viable changes.

Free classes where self-defense may be taught to men and women was brought up. Pooler even discussed a dream of hers to bring a Multicultural Center to campus, so that those of all cultures and backgrounds have a distinct place to merge and break down boundaries. A stand of solidarity seen at other schools was offered as a suggestion to the athletics department.

Pooler said, there would be a show of solidarity for students in the atrium on Monday, Nov. 29, making the new safety pin symbol the representation of the event.

Emano reminded students of complete confidentiality in counseling sessions that are provided on campus for those students troubled by recent events.

The largest issue uncovered was that those who witness discrimination or are victim to it, do not say anything. Steele urged students to think about the world they want, to use their voices and not be silent, to say hello to as many individuals as possible, to open as many doors as possible, and dared them to not see a change.

“We need a mentality to not only love, but to speak up,” said Jakachira.

“So much still needs to be done,” said Swope.

The conversation, originally planned for 90 minutes, continued for nearly three hours with a handful of students.

*Editor’s Note: Alizay Rizvi is the Courier’s Social Media Editor, though she did not attend the event as a Courier employee

Speech professor Tabatha Roberts’ voice shared the bone-chilling experience her student had on campus. Another student told Roberts’ student that her time was up, she was going to get lynched.

Roberts’ student was  Hispanic, and her voice shook through her as she explained the hurt she felt as a professor, as a human.

The recent presidential election spawned fear, anger and sadness in some students To combat the mixed emotions, Student Life Director Chuck Steele and Diversity and Inclusion professor Drake Swope hosted a “Campus Conversation,” inviting all members of the community to discuss their insecurities with recent events and have an open conversation for those feeling unheard.

As each person entered the conversation, a sticker that read: “#notonmycampus” was handed out.

Roberts was not the only individual to share her feelings about the new, seemingly dangerous, environment that had begun to form on campus.

Alizay Rizvi*, a Muslim student, shyly raised her hand, yet expressed her nerves once Steele asked her to speak.

“I’m not sure if I should say anything,” said Rizvi.

Without delay, Steele, Swope, and the entirety of the packed room told her she was exactly where she needed to be to share and to speak. The exchange of support expressed was a representation of the conversation and the dynamic Steele and Swope were facilitating. The goal was to be respectful, to listen, and to keep the political discussions to a minimum.

“Let’s bring this down to COD,” said Steele often throughout the open discussion.

Rizvi shared how her headscarf, a hijab, makes her and other Muslim women feel like targets. She explained accounts of being afraid to leave their homes because their beliefs were so prominent.

The conversation had begun primarily with worries stemming from the election, yet more was uncovered as voices began to feel more comfortable.

Student Darius Jefferson, as well as student Tariro Jakachira, shared their feelings as young African-American men, wanting for each person in the room to understand the discrimination and prejudice so focused on them, such as being called “a nigger.”

With the election as the subject, Jakachira pointed out how standpoints may be unifying to one person but terrorizing to another.

Many students talked about their observations of the clique-type actions seen by members of different races.

“You walk into the cafeteria and blacks are sitting with blacks, whites are sitting with whites, Asians are sitting with Asians,” said a student. “You don’t see them talking to one another.”

Discrimination felt from COD’s athletics department and campus police was even shared, saying that it has been witnessed many times where campus police had given more attention to white students, while ignoring others. Students and faculty were shocked to hear this, not realizing that issues like such appeared on our own campus.

A once-empty room filled with chairs, as the conversation continued. From wall to wall, community members filled the safe space. Faculty such as professors Derek Willis, Kenneth Gray and Dennis Emano filled the chairs. Students of all colors and interests sat and listened. Student Body President Kiley Pooler and Student Trustee Lucy Escamilla appeared to hear their fellow student’s thoughts.

President Ann Rondeau was silent behind each person. With a wrinkled brow she shook her head to hear various accounts of what has happened on her campus.

There were people feeling other emotions. Some were appreciated, learning there was a place to share their discomfort, but student and veteran, Zakee Smith stood up with a somber feeling of disappointment.

“Where were you all before?” asked Smith. “Where were you all at our other discussions? Why is this only an issue now?”

Smith continued about how the concept of discussing the diversity and racism on campus, even in the world, is not a new idea. It has happened many times with the diversity and Inclusion workshops. Smith even shared how racism did not spring up because of the campaign and the election. It has always been an issue, he said, but now we only pay attention because a white woman did not win.

Various students and faculty continued the conversation, but Steele and Swope directed the discussion on to the solutions that the student body can present so that the campus may make real, viable changes.

Free classes where self-defense may be taught to men and women was brought up. Pooler even discussed a dream of hers to bring a Multicultural Center to campus, so that those of all cultures and backgrounds have a distinct place to merge and break down boundaries. A stand of solidarity seen at other schools was offered as a suggestion to the athletics department.

Pooler said, there would be a show of solidarity for students in the atrium on Monday, Nov. 29, making the new safety pin symbol the representation of the event.

Emano reminded students of complete confidentiality in counseling sessions that are provided on campus for those students troubled by recent events.

The largest issue uncovered was that those who witness discrimination or are victim to it, do not say anything. Steele urged students to think about the world they want, to use their voices and not be silent, to say hello to as many individuals as possible, to open as many doors as possible, and dared them to not see a change.

“We need a mentality to not only love, but to speak up,” said Jakachira.

“So much still needs to be done,” said Swope.

The conversation, originally planned for 90 minutes, continued for nearly three hours with a handful of students.

*Editor’s Note: Alizay Rizvi is the Courier’s Social Media Editor, though she did not attend the event as a Courier employee