Student government leader urges all to attend today’s march and rally
Dear members of the St. Thomas Student Body,
I am writing to you for several reasons today. The first is to inform you, if you are not already aware, that a tragic incident has occurred at our university. Over the course of the past 48 hours, three women have been subjected to intense racial hate crimes and death threats. These threats were received while staying in their on-campus apartment. I'd ask that you refer to the Bulletin Today for specific details and follow-up.
Secondly, I ask all of you to see this incident for what it is: an extreme act of racial violence and hatred that will not be tolerated on our campus. This incident affects each and every one of us as members of this community, and it is up to us, as students, to personally take a stand against this kind of action.
It is important to bear in mind in these situations that silence in this circumstance, and any like it, is a statement in itself, and by refusing to say anything, we are sending a message to the perpetrator of this crime that their action is not a serious concern to the students. Worse yet, not acting would be sending a strong message to your fellow students that you accept and tolerate this type of offense.
This act of ignorance has no place in an institution of learning, or any institution for that matter. As a university that seeks to educate morally responsible leaders, it is our responsibility to come with open minds and open hearts to take the first step by eliminating apathy and ignorance within ourselves. Catholic doctrine, upon which this school was founded, teaches us that above all else we must love our fellow human beings, but whether you are a person of faith or not, these acts were committed against the basic principles of human decency. I challenge each and every one of you to stand with our community in openly condemning these terrible occurrences.
Finally, I would like to extend to each of you a personal invitation. Please join us today, Thursday, Nov. 1, in a March of Solidarity from the upper quad near John Paul II Residence Hall to the arches at 11:45 a.m.
During this time we will hear statements from students, a prayer from Father Erich Rutten, director of Campus Ministry, and following this is a forum where students will be encouraged to openly voice their concerns to administrators and community members alike.
I'd ask that, as members of this student body, equally taking a share in each other’s lives, during this time we are enabled to band together and unite under a desire to better ourselves and the society we are a part of.
Sincerely,
Carl T. Mickman
President
Undergraduate Student Government
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Government usg@stthomas.edu , or myself directly ctmickman@stthomas.edu.
