On Tuesday, October 4, 2016, protesters came to the IUPUI campus to protest the LGTBQ+ Center. IUPUI students, staff and faculty decided rather than just to let the protesters spout hate onto the campus, that IUPUI should celebrate the diversity the university possess. By doing so, the people of IUPUI community decided to have a giant dance party at the same time the protest took place. This caught the attention of local of many in the community and so praise has begun for IUPUI.
IUPUI is a diverse community filled with students, faculty and staff that will support each other no matter what. What made me fall in love with IUPUI was that feeling that everyone is welcomed and is important. IUPUI is a built on a culture of compassion and of acceptance. No one is excluded and is encouraged to be themselves. I feel so welcomed to be myself, even with all of my weird quirks, while I walk around with me friends. No one is singles out and no one is judges for anything.
On that Tuesday during the protest, while the photographers were taking their pictures and people were dancing, IUPUI didn't change anything. IUPUI didn't put on a show. We were simply doing what we do best, accepting who we are, embracing it, and standing up for our fellow Jaguars.
On October 4, 2016, IUPUI showed everyone that we are a culture of care. We might not have the best sports teams or the highest grades, but we are changing the world.
