Emory University students were protesting this week after a slew of pro-Donald Trump proclamations were found written on the sidewalk in chalk.
Now, I hate Donald Trump as much as the next well-educated person, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And in college, everyone has a TON of them. Plus sidewalk chalk is really easy to clean off… so everyone chill out.
The group of 40 protestors were led by sophomore Jonathan Peraza, who marched his fellow students through campus announcing their disapproval of the messages. Peraza even reportedly screamed “You are not listening! Come speak to us. We are in pain!” outside of the University Administration Building for ten minutes straight. Disruptive yes, but the man was apparently in pain and demanded to be heard.
According to the Emory Wheel, things got pretty dramatic.
Roughly 40 students gathered shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the outdoors space between the Administration Building and Goodrich C. White Hall; many students carried signs featuring slogans such as “Stop Trump” or “Stop Hate” and an antiphonal chant addressed to University administration, led by College sophomore Jonathan Peraza, resounded “You are not listening! Come speak to us, we are in pain!” throughout the Quad. Peraza opened the door to the Administration Building and students moved forward towards the door, shouting “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.”
Um, ok then. This quote pretty much sums it up:
“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,” she added.
I get it, I really do. He is awful! He’s a racist, mysinogist, Islamophobe, and every other noun that means you hate something without reason and strongly. If he wins this nomination, I will have lost full faith in our nation. And as much as I hate the possibility of seeing his name on that ballot come November, I may have to face it. And I have to respect opinions in the meantime. Do I disagree with every fool out there who voted for him in the primary? Hell no! How stupid can you be?!
But unfortunately, that’s the world we live in, and protesting is not going to help with that. Instead, just go vote. That’s what’s really important here. Go f*cking vote and actually make a change.
Oh, and erase the chalk.
[H/T: Total Frat Move]
