Dear Editor,
May is growing closer, which means the end of a school year for some and graduation for others. Many of us will be moving on into the "real world" for the first time in our lives. With the Stop Hate campaign wrapping up soon and - what has seemed like - the controversial banner coming down, what have we learned from it? There have been many opinions voiced about the campaign, both positive and negative.
Many have asked why efforts were not placed on volunteering to make a "real" difference and not waste time hanging a banner that doesn't do anything.
People have said if people hate others, a banner is going to do nothing to change that. These negatives appear to be in the Dark Ages and seem to spew the same negativity that spills from the hearts and minds of those the Stop Hate campaign is truly targeting.
In a recent - heated - e-mail screaming match with one of these negative students, I simply could not explain to this student the purpose or need for the banner or the campaign in a way that sunk into his thick head.
Finally, in an ah-ha moment, this student e-mailed me saying, "all the banner has done is get people to talk more about these issues."
Even those who seem blind appeared to get it in the end. Stop Hate has raised awareness simply by getting people to talk more and think more about issues of hate, discrimination, homophobia, racism, sexism, etc. Because of the thoughts and emotions the campaign raised in me, I found myself speaking out passionately on such issues for the first time.
Raising awareness and discussing these issues is the first step, and for those leaving the comforts of college, you will have to make the remaining steps on your own.
One can only hope we all strive to make those steps in our futures - and in the long run, we will stop hate. Thanks to those who ran the Stop Hate campaign for their tireless work and passion to make a difference.
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