Racial Incident Leads to College Protest

As many prepared for the celebration of totality from the solar eclipse, others prepared to let their voices be heard in protest on the campus of Indiana State University.

This came after a discriminatory incident involving a social media post that students believe should invoke disciplinary action. Last Wednesday a student posted a video to the popular college and Greek Life social media app Yik Yak which contained racially motivated comments towards black students and involved remarks regarding slavery. The students involved in the protest handed out sheets of paper containing a letter to the universities president Deborah Curtis and ISU Board of Trustees, which asked for a short list of things to be done in response to the incident.

This list includes:

• Repercussions and accountability for the student's racist and discriminatory behavior as well as for future instances
• A formal statement from the university acknowledging the disturbing video containing racist remarks and acknowledgment of the disciplinary actions that have been or will be taken
• A zero-tolerance policy regarding hate speech and discrimination of any means by an ISU student
• The Code of Student Conduct should outline specific disciplinary action to be taken by the University in response to the violation of the zero-tolerance policy

The letter concluded with a statement which was signed by "Indiana State Students". The statement read, "Silence is violence, and we will not stay silent in the face of injustice. Together, we stand united against racism and discrimination."