A moment of pride at Spring Hill College this past week was when over a hundred students, professors, faculty, and staff gathered in solidarity. It was a reminder that our campus is a place for love, not hate; acceptance, not intolerance; and unity, not division.
The event was organized after the country has started to divide because of the recent election. The people behind it meant to bring our campus together in a time of strife to remind everyone that we are more than our political beliefs.
We had already seen the discourse from before the election, Alexis Mogil brought up the idea, everyone was on board. There was too much love for our campus for us to want it to be torn apart by the election.
The walk was done in complete silence with an escort by our Public Safety officers. Professors encouraged students to come out by making it extra credit for their classes and showing up as well. One student played music while we were waiting to start with the theme being peace.
Seeing so many of my friends, classmates, and professors walk in silence was amazing. There was barely a sound, and I have never seen us gather in silence like that.
When we arrived to our destination in front of our school's chapel, we passed out candles as several students spoke and the sun set. A prayer was said first by Father Baylon asking for peace and unity during this time.
The way so many people stood together with candles showed just how willing we were to all move forward despite our differences. A moment with so many people that I see everyday standing together and willing to move forward.
Several students spoke about how our country is going to settle on our shoulders and how we should not be a house divided, how this is a rough time on many and we are responsible for moving forward.
They spoke of letting us carry a torch for next generation, and how we may go through rough times, but we how we must move forward always.
The walk was a moment of pride for Spring Hill College. It truly couldn't have been a more amazing moment, and I was glad to be a part of it.
Credit to Kerri Ebanks and Adrian Frisbee for the pictures.
