By Robert Laurie ——Bio and Archives--March 25, 2016
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Something horrific is stalking the students of Atlanta's Emory University. No, it's not global warming. It's not overpopulation, income inequality, white privilege, or the military industrial complex either. It's much worse than that. The threat that prowls their campus is so ghastly, so utterly vile, that they felt the need to protest.
We speak, of course, of chalk drawings of Donald Trump's last name. We warn you. The following image is shocking. Please, before you view it, be sure to have smelling salts on hand.“You are not listening! Come speak to us, we are in pain!” and then students moved into the administration building calling out, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”If you're sitting there, scratching your head and wondering what that means, don't worry. It's gibberish, so that's the proper reaction. However nonsensical their slogans may be, they are - sadly - being taken seriously. According to the Washington Post Jim Wagner, the president of the university, has issued a statement confirming that their concerns are legitimate.
Yesterday I received a visit from 40 to 50 student protesters upset by the unexpected chalkings on campus sidewalks and some buildings yesterday morning, in this case referencing Donald Trump. The students shared with me their concern that these messages were meant to intimidate rather than merely to advocate for a particular candidate, having appeared outside of the context of a Georgia election or campus campaign activity. During our conversation, they voiced their genuine concern and pain in the face of this perceived intimidation. After meeting with our students, I cannot dismiss their expression of feelings and concern as motivated only by political preference or over-sensitivity. Instead, the students with whom I spoke heard a message, not about political process or candidate choice, but instead about values regarding diversity and respect that clash with Emory’s own. In other words, the students have very real reasons to be afraid of the scary chalk words. That's not enough for the protesters, though. Despite the administration's acknowledgement, the kids are not alright. “I’m supposed to feel comfortable and safe [here],” one student said. “But this man is being supported by students on our campus and our administration shows that they, by their silence, support it as well … I don’t deserve to feel afraid at my school,”In reality, they should be afraid of something called "the real world." One day, these precious snowflakes will leave their campus behind and realize that they're no longer going to be coddled. If seeing Donald Trump's name written in chalk instantly makes liberal college kids feel as though they're bound by the chains of a violent and unjust society, just wait until they realize their philosophy degree only qualifies them for a night-manager position at Denny’s...
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