Part of Appalachian State University's mission is "We embrace our obligation to help create healthy, just, and sustainable societies by equipping our students to live with knowledge, compassion, dedication, humility, and dignity." As a former teachers' college, it's comforting to know that ASU is pursuing to mold its student body into catalysts for change in a frequently bleak world.
However, like the "American Dream," the vision of ASU has been undercut by ignorant and hateful behavior.
In August of 2017, a pro-white organization dropped a recruitment banner on App State's campus. This organization is vying for the end of immigration into America and advocating for the needs of white Americans. This invasive act was met with an uproar from the student body, which was received by the Student Government Association and the Chancellor.
In January the following year, an incident occurred when a member of the men's tennis team made a racially charged comment to an opponent from another school. The situation went viral and was addressed from numerous outlets on campus. ASU's Black Student Association (BSA) responded to the event by saying they were saddened but not surprised. They went on to say that behavior like that is only a fraction of the discrimination marginalized communities receive.
All too often, students at ASU and other college campuses are subjected to an aggressive, accusatory, and hateful preacher, whose sermons range from condemning sexual orientation, to simply calling the student body "filth" for not possessing the same faith. The last thing any student wants to hear while overwhelmed by school, extracurriculars, work, and the general state of the world is that they are filth.
In April of 2018, a pro-life advocacy group presented extremely graphic pictures of abortions and holocaust on Sanford Mall for several days. The images were discomforting for the general population of campus, and the members of Jewish groups on campus were offended by the comparison.
Last week, neo-nazi graffiti was found in ASU's "Expression Tunnels" that praised the Holocaust. This graffiti was found just days before Auschwitz survivor Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz visited our campus. The university, NC Hillel, and campus organizations are attempting to rectify the hateful speech displayed on campus.
Appalachian State University strives for equality, diversity, and safety amongst its students. However, recent data from the University of Southern California reveals that North Carolina is fairly diverse, but ASU is the least diverse in the state and near the bottom end of the diversity spectrum in the country. It doesn't help that those in marginalized groups on campus live in fear and insecurity because of events that have been listed above.
On the outside, ASU is viewed as a wholesome, inclusive university where people can be themselves and be safe. However, a compilation of hateful incidents reveals that ASU is just as scary and unjust as the outside world. It's the duty of the university and the student body to ensure that Appalachian State University's campus is safe for all.
