The Optimist

Media Credit: Zak Zeinert [Click to enlarge]

Watch a video of Dr. Royce Money's response to the noose incident at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJKrU9kR3ZY

Students across campus say they are filled with rage and frustration after Wednesday's noose incident, and they strongly desire to bring together ACU's diverse community.

What baffles and surprises many students is that such an action happened on a Christian campus.

"I'm a little disappointed that it happened in ACU. It's sad that something of that caliber and hatred took place here," said Kelsey Evans, senior interior design major from Gresham, Ore. "Hopefully this will never happen again, and the community can come together and have a better Christian focus."

Although most may not agree with the action, it has created a small wound within the ACU community, students said. Several people are disappointed to see such racism shown in this day and age, and others are upset there exists a fraction of students attending a Christian university who put race before religion.

"I think our campus is smart enough to know that this action was caused by a tiny fraction of the student population, an imbecile who had nothing better to do," said Keith Taillon, senior history major from Abilene.

A hangman's noose was discovered in the office of Student's Association President Daniel Paul Watkins Sept. 3; the administration does not know who committed the act or how it took place.

The Students' Association's offices do not have cameras, but the main speculation is an individual was able to enter the office while no one was paying attention.

Since the incident, students have been looking for answers, justice and a broader understanding of social acceptance. Whether the incident involved one or more persons is not known; however, some think the majority of students on campus do not share the culprit's viewpoints.

"Honestly, it's an eyeopener. We still have a lot of work to do; we have different mindsets and ideals that need to be addressed," said Joshua Jackson, senior youth and family major from Wichita, Kan.

Jackson is involved with many campus groups; he is the president of Students for African American Brotherhood and a member of Essence of Ebony and Lynay. Jackson said this negative act is an opportunity for students to come together and heal as a Christian community. He also saw the incident as an invitation to expand social tolerance and understanding across the campus.

Jackson said Essence of Ebony is preparing future forums and events that will bring different cultures and backgrounds into the spotlight, like a forum where students can voice their concerns and ask questions about different situations on campus.

"Now that we've had this setback, we can cover all our bases and reexamine our ideals," Jackson said. "It's a chance for us to embrace different people, cultures and ethnicities as a whole, a chance to show that this action will not tear us apart and that it will bring us closer [together] in the end."

During the past week, Watkins has receive lots of positive support from both students and faculty.

"Daniel has received tons of e-mails from faculty and students; some he doesn't even know," said Spencer Hemphill, Students' Association treasurer and senior accounting major from Longview.

Hemphill said the act had no negative impact on the Students' Association's upcoming plans.

"If someone did this to bring negativity to ACU, they did not succeed. It was nothing more than a racist and hateful act, which will accomplish nothing," Hemphill said. "The negative spotlight is on the perpetrator."

E-mail Anderson at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

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