When racism struck in the form of tweets a few weeks ago, the University was quick to respond with a comprehensive method to combat racism and hate — Not in Our Town.
The Not in Our Town Campaign is a smart approach and the events hosted by the University and the city of Bowling Green have worked well so far to help combat hate in the community.
However, several aspects of the campaign need to be taken into consideration in order for it to actually create change on campus and in the community.
The campaign has gained some momentum in the past few weeks because of the Twitter incident, but that momentum needs to keep going.
University administrators have been persistent that the campaign will continue but have been weary about what future plans may include. Although The BG News recognizes that the campaign started just over a week ago, the best way to keep the momentum going is to come up with the next plan quick so that the University can build off of the momentum that it has.
So far, the University has been able to do this very successfully, but it cannot allow the program to drop off like so many others have. More communication, like a blog or open forum page via the University’s website would be good ways for students to stay informed on the campaign’s growth as long as it’s on campus.
Continuing the Not In Our Town campaign beyond the events of this week could change the culture of the community.
In further developing the Not in Our Town Campaign, students and others at the University need to realize that eliminating hate in a conservative community won’t happen overnight. It will take time, effort and a lot of determination to do so.
Just two and a half years ago, the Bowling Green community was faced with a vote on the One Bowling Green legislation that extends certain rights to the LGBTQA community, expectant mothers and veterans among other groups of people. The legislation narrowly passed and the final decision wasn’t even made by the end of that election night in November 2010.
This is what the Not in Our Town Campaign is going up against. It’s not just racially charged tweets or graffiti or a visit from the Ku Klux Klan, its a community that has a history of being resistant to such a change in culture.
Although the University is often different in its observation of diversity issues than the city has been, it is still one community and the University may have to help sway some of the community members to lean more toward its way of thinking.
It will take time and a continuance of the effort we’ve already seen with Not in Our Town to truly fight hate. That effort starts with you, the student.
So, take the pledge to fight hate and get involved, now.
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