A national anti-hate crime movement is making its way to campus this week.
Initiated in Billings, Mont., the “Not In Our Town” program took a stand against violence, saying it would not be tolerated.
And across the nation, communities have adopted similar programs. For the next two weeks, Holmes Hall community members will work to fight hate crimes in a place they call home.
Abby Nelson, a mentor in Holmes Hall, is one of the event organizers. Mentors are formerly known as resident assistants. She has high hopes for the program that started Tuesday night with the showing of the “Not In Our Town” video that aired nationally on public television last month.
“We want to show that we as a residence hall are one united community just as it would be in any city,” said Nelson, an English junior. “Holmes Hall will not allow acts of hate and intolerance.”
In October 1998, University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard, who was gay, was tied to a fence and beaten to death. It’s been one of the most high-profile hate crimes in recent years.
Earlier that year, James Byrd Jr., a black man, was dragged behind a pickup truck for three miles. Byrd, 49, was decapitated. The incident has spurred debate over Texas hate crime legislation.
But Kent Workman, Holmes Hall director, said the MSU program was not implemented in response to any specific incidents.
Rather, it will be taking a pro-active approach in stopping problems before they happen.
“We want to say everyone is welcome here,” he said. “As a community there are going to be certain beliefs and prejudices that are present.”
Workman said to be a successful community, residents have to work to overcome differences and a lack of understanding so everyone feels safe.
There will be a repeat showing of the video at 9 p.m. today in C-106 Holmes Hall.
And all next week, residents and staff members will be asked to fill out pledge cards promising to take a stand against hate-based violence.
Damon Bryan, a psychology senior and floor mentor, worked with Nelson to bring the project to MSU. He said all those who pledge will be given a button to wear showing their support.
“We hope they will wear the buttons all week,” he said. “Then if they continue to wear them we can get the word out across the whole campus.”
And spreading the message to the campus community is the long-term goal of the program.
Nelson said students putting the buttons on backpacks or some other visible place will spur others to ask questions and become informed.
“It will be a verbal campaign across campus,” Nelson said. “Hopefully in the future we can get every person to pledge their support for the program and end all acts of hatred on campus.”
That is the ideal outcome of the program - to get as many students involved as possible.
“The truth is racism exists whether people see it or not,” Nelson said. “We want to stand up.
“Action needs to be taken.”
Amy E. Stanton can be reached at stanto32@msu.edu.
