Where is the love? Pt. 2
Alyssa Huntley
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: Religion
It's one thing to say you don't like someone. It's another issue to say you hate them. Hatred toward individual groups of people has been an issue throughout the world forever. When is it going to end?
This past week the foolish and hateful writing from an unknown person on one of the classroom chalkboards resulted in a campus-wide email from President Powell. His short but informative message illustrated the seriousness of the issue. He stated, "The issuance of hate messages belongs nowhere in our society and certainly not here in a university community where we are committed to forming students who will work for the common good and lead lives of mutual respect based on our four pillars." I couldn't agree more.
What is the point? Clearly whoever this person is gained some attention with his or her drawing of a swastika being greater than the Star of David, but, does this person really believe that? And if so, why?
In a country that has for so long worked toward social equality it seems foolish to spread such messages. We have worked so hard for so long, it doesn't seem right that the ignorance of others should dampen such achievements.
This type of message seems even more out of place here on a Catholic campus where students, professors, staff, and visitors of all faiths are welcome. Christianity is a faith of unity, believing we are all made equally in the image and likeness of God. Even if you aren't of a Christian faith, we are all still human. What exactly makes it so hard for people to keep such hateful ideas to themselves?
We are all at this university for the same reason: to get an education in whatever field we study so we may better understand the world around us. We are all given the same opportunities and all face the same challenges. No one individual is greater than another on our campus.
The Catholic faith teaches us to see each other as equals and treat each other with mutual respect and love. "You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:17-18).
Whether the person writing meant what he or she wrote or simply wanted to cause a stir and get some attention, it was still a foolish thing to do. Hatred has no place on a campus with such a strong emphasis on community. The only thing something like that can do is cause an unnecessary disruption. With the liturgical year coming to an end and Advent beginning I think we can all use this time to reflect back on our lives in the past year and start new, leaving behind our hatred for one another, and moving forward into a year where all people can feel the fellowship Christianity preaches.
This past week the foolish and hateful writing from an unknown person on one of the classroom chalkboards resulted in a campus-wide email from President Powell. His short but informative message illustrated the seriousness of the issue. He stated, "The issuance of hate messages belongs nowhere in our society and certainly not here in a university community where we are committed to forming students who will work for the common good and lead lives of mutual respect based on our four pillars." I couldn't agree more.
What is the point? Clearly whoever this person is gained some attention with his or her drawing of a swastika being greater than the Star of David, but, does this person really believe that? And if so, why?
In a country that has for so long worked toward social equality it seems foolish to spread such messages. We have worked so hard for so long, it doesn't seem right that the ignorance of others should dampen such achievements.
This type of message seems even more out of place here on a Catholic campus where students, professors, staff, and visitors of all faiths are welcome. Christianity is a faith of unity, believing we are all made equally in the image and likeness of God. Even if you aren't of a Christian faith, we are all still human. What exactly makes it so hard for people to keep such hateful ideas to themselves?
We are all at this university for the same reason: to get an education in whatever field we study so we may better understand the world around us. We are all given the same opportunities and all face the same challenges. No one individual is greater than another on our campus.
The Catholic faith teaches us to see each other as equals and treat each other with mutual respect and love. "You shall not bear hatred for your brother in your heart. Though you may have to reprove your fellow man, do not incur sin because of him. Take no revenge and cherish no grudge against your fellow countrymen. You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:17-18).
Whether the person writing meant what he or she wrote or simply wanted to cause a stir and get some attention, it was still a foolish thing to do. Hatred has no place on a campus with such a strong emphasis on community. The only thing something like that can do is cause an unnecessary disruption. With the liturgical year coming to an end and Advent beginning I think we can all use this time to reflect back on our lives in the past year and start new, leaving behind our hatred for one another, and moving forward into a year where all people can feel the fellowship Christianity preaches.
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