statement from BSU & other community members in solidarity on Thursday, 3/18:

Dear CSUMB Community Member,

Wednesday morning the words “f**k black people” were found chalked on sidewalk outside the Otter Express.  This follows an incident the night before where an African American student was called the N-word by a student she did not know who later claimed to be “joking.”  The hateful words of Wednesday morning underscore that racial insensitivity is never a joke.  Racism must never be taken lightly.  By Thursday night, members from all racial communities came together in solidarity with the African American community that was the target of this particular racist incident to decide how to address this as a united community.

Please join our CSUMB community tomorrow outside the OE where we will come together in silent communion, black and white, male and female, gay and straight dressed in black to represent the death of all forms of discrimination.  The words that were meant to hurt and divide us will instead bring us together tomorrow as we demonstrate our commitment to the Vision of CSUMB which values each and every member of our community whatever their race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion or personal identity.

We come together to send a strong message tomorrow that racism, sexism, homophobia and religious bigotry and all other forms of discrimination will not be tolerated on our campus.   Anytime any member of our campus community is targeted in this way, it is absolutely necessary that all CSUMB communities come together in condemnation of discrimination and support for those discriminated against.

- BSU & CSUMB Community Members

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