In a technology-infused, instantly-gratified world, how is it that people still resort to bigotry and hatred in the cruelest and lowest manner?

Students go to college to become the best person they can be, yet some seem to have not graduated past the name-calling stage. At least one thing has changed since the middle school days in terms of what is said about one another: it is done in the shadows so the responsible party doesn’t actually have to own up to its actions.

Several incidents have occurred throughout the year of discriminatory remarks, either on vehicles or more recently in the residence halls. E-mails have been sent to encourage students to come forward with any information, but still the perpetrators remain unknown.

Maybe they realize what they’ve done is cruel and derogatory to others in their community, or they may think it’s funny to put a discriminatory word in a public area. If they are the latter of the two, then they obviously don’t think ahead to the consequences of their actions, because it’s not funny.

The basic truth is words hurt, especially when they are forced in the face of someone who is struggling with his or her identity. Take it from someone who knows about being made fun of; kids can be cruel when they name call. However, I was at least able to defend myself, instead of having things written about me for the world to see and I not being able to defend myself. These incidents have not seemed to be aimed at anyone, but in their unobtrusive way they’ve singled out individuals on campus who may already by struggling with their identity.

I’m not telling you what to say or what not to say, but I am urging you to think about the impact of your choice in words. Our campus is comprised of many different people with diverse backgrounds, and verbally abusing them is cruel and demeaning.

Why are people going to strive to better a community when it seems to be stepping backwards as people hide behind their markers, writing derogatory comments on a bathroom mirrors or dry erase boards? At least have the decency to own up to what you’re saying, instead of cowering in the shadows.

Have you ever considered how these terrible words, written in areas across campus throughout the year, look to others? It doesn’t provide a very inviting atmosphere when students get attacked by hate messages in their bathroom or on their board.

Why not choose to share your ideas and views on life, instead of attacking someone who chooses to live theirs differently. The only way society has ever advanced was from the thoughts of someone thinking differently than the rest. If everyone lived his or her life exactly the same, and thought exactly the same, we’d be mindless robots wandering through life with no creativity.

In the perfect world, people wouldn’t discriminate; however in the real world, they do. The only way to put an end to that discrimination is to speak up and stand up against those attacks.

I urge everyone to speak up against these incidents. They may not seem like a big deal to you, but think about the person the words are targeted to. Realize the consequences of derogatory slurs, and stand up against them.

I hate that this happens throughout the year; once should be too many, but it sadly is not. So instead of sitting around, mumbling to yourself that these incidents shouldn’t be tolerated, stand up and talk to people about it. You don’t have to know exactly who wrote those words on the walls, but know that you can still influence them indirectly.

In a small community, word travels fast, so spread the word that hate crimes, no matter how small, are not going to be tolerated. Promote discussion about a topic that many shy away from and stand firm in your opinion, without putting down someone who disagrees.

It’s a fact of life that people are going to disagree, but it’s everyone’s right to have his or her opinion, and no one’s right to take that right away from anyone.