Everyone has a story. The thing about those stories that very few get to truly see them. Others only see the image that is projected. Very few get to the heart of the matter. With over 67,000 students and more than 22,000 members of faculty and staff at Rutgers, each individual easily passes by thousands of people each day. Some we speak with over idle chat. Others may simply get a once over as we walk to class. Nonetheless, it is more than likely that over the span of a day, each individual at Rutgers has made some sort of contact with someone who either knows or was an immigrant to this country.
With that in mind, the hateful speech incorporated around Livingston and College Ave this past week has been very detrimental to how these individuals see their worth in society. The focus is not so much on the political aspect as it is on the hateful language surrounding it. It is far too easy to note that the election is quickly approaching and individuals have the right to say and believe in whatever they please. However, this standpoint does not take away the anti-immigrant and anti-Latinx foundation behind some of the chalk written phrases. Phrases like, “Viva la deportation,” “Deport force coming,” and “Build the Wall,” cross the line and can be clearly identified as hate speech. Thus, these words can be seen as a direct attack on Latin immigrants as well as many others. This shifts the focus from political jargon to a threat of attack on immigrants all over.
At the Community Gathering Tuesday night, these as well as many more sentiments were addressed. Although the meeting took place in the Center for Latino Arts & Culture, a variety of minorities were present and being represented. Representatives for several cultural groups included: Asian, African American, Caribbean American, etc. For approximately two hours, the CLAC became a forum for all students to speak their minds and let their voices be heard. The room was so packed that some had to sit on tables, the floor, and the steps. Even then, that was not enough as some had to wait out the door to get a seat.
A specific student at the event, began by telling the story about gaining her citizenship and fighting in the army. She talked about her difficulties putting her life on the line for this country and coming back home feeling dejected because of the slander she saw on campus. There was also talk about families and friends who went through an incredible amount of struggle to immigrate to this country. Family members went through a lot of barriers just to give their children the opportunities they did not have growing up. Friends had been denied scholarships and entry to places based on the status of their citizenship. Others come to Rutgers with student visas because they wanted to get an education that they may not have been able to get in other countries. To make matters worse, a good portion of those who had to clean the writings up worked tirelessly to come to this country. Thus, it was only natural that these writings had an emotional aspect to them.
Many immigrate to this country in hopes of better opportunities. They want a bright future as much as we do. Thus, they work hard, study hard, and have taken on a new language just to be given the same opportunities as us. Going far from home is not as easy, but some have no other choice. They should not have to feel like that work has been dismissed. These may have been works of chalk, but they still left an impact. It went beyond all political talk. It was a call to inequality. Those feelings can never be taken away nor should they be neglected. Thus, there is a united front working together for empowerment. We need to try to support each other in a time of need. As one community, we need to rise up together by not standing for hate. Otherwise, there will never be a positive ending to the story.
By: Cassie Rosario