Up@dawn 2.0

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Against hate

A message from President McPhee:

To the University community, We are aware, and are closely monitoring, the posting of unauthorized materials on our campus by Vanguard America, a white supremacist group. Some of these posts have been done specifically to deface materials related to our campus celebration of Black History Month; others have been anti-Semitic. Media reports indicate that several universities across the nation, including some in Tennessee, have discovered similar materials on their campuses. Members of this group, and other similar groups, are targeting college campuses in the hopes that their hateful messages will bring attention and notoriety to their causes. As such, my note to you today shall be brief and to the point. There is no place here for hateful rhetoric, displays or actions that demean any member of the MTSU family. While we will respect the right of free speech when exercised within the policies of the University, we will also continue to take all appropriate action to make our campus as safe and inclusive as possible. We strongly condemn the views of white supremacists and other hate groups. We will maintain our focus on the enrichment that comes to our campus through the wide range of diversity represented by our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and we will refuse to give to hate groups the attention that they seek. The values of our True Blue Pledge commit us to reason, not violence; to both listening and speaking; and to our membership in this diverse community. I am proud that our community celebrates and supports the differences among us, as we also seek to build upon our commonalities. Sincerely,Sidney A. McPheePresident

1 comment:

  1. If this shows up twice, I apologize. I hit the wrong key. :)

    I first attended MTSU in 1986. It was a diverse campus but nothing like it is today. Back then it was not unusal to hear students using the N word or making racial type jokes. You saw students making fun of international students. Unfortunately this was accepted behavior. I am proud to be back at MTSU and see how the community has changed. The only way we can stop this hate is through education and it is our responsibility to spread the word and educate the rest of society. MTSU has become a very welcoming community to people from all walks of life, all colors and nationalities, age and sexual orientations. Generations must pass (yes, kinda quoting oprah) and its up to the new generation to correct the mistakes of the past. From what I have seen on this campus I think were on the right track, compared to the 1980's. We must show tolerance though to those of age whos minds will not be changed. Focus on the new generations, they are the future, YOU ARE THE FUTURE! Have to leave for class now. Seeyou in an hour

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