Diversity focus needed at TCU
University life should be filled with students from every walk of life, given the safety to express their beliefs, ideals and opinions.
No student should be marginalized, but a new Twitter hashtag #BeingMinorityatTCU shows how some Texas Christian University students encounter racism regularly.
Sick of disenfranchisement, three students met with the chancellor with a “list of demands.” They felt “students of color are at a constant disadvantage,” and they wanted action.
TCU listened and stepped up to implement change, a heartening response.
Officials announced the hiring of a new “cabinet-level position to lead [TCU’s] efforts regarding diversity and inclusion,” said a news release from the chancellor’s office.
The students brought forward about 14 solutions, like funding a diversity speaker series, hiring more faculty of color and implementing a zero-tolerance policy against hate speech.
It is saddening they have to demand change at all. Minority students shouldn’t feel unheard and have to express their frustrations with a hashtag.
#BeingMinorityatTCU your peers assuming you attend TCU b/c you're an athlete or b/c of affirmative action (not that you were ranked #1)
— Ari (Miss Escobar) (@phoenixgold_) October 19, 2016
Well one time this guy i thought I was friends with posted "the only good Arab is a dead Arab" on his facebook status #BeingMinorityatTCU
— Mohamed Sharaf (@mohamedpac) October 19, 2016
And if the comments section on the TCU 360 student media article are any indication, minority students have a long fight ahead of them.
TCU’s involvement should bring hope — but most importantly, results.
This story was originally published October 19, 2016 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Diversity focus needed at TCU."