As a finalist for the Spirit of Maryland award this past week, I had some time to reflect on what, exactly, the “spirit” of Maryland really is. Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is our tremendous spirit at athletic events, but there’s a lot more to it. We are a unique learning environment that embraces differences as part of the learning experience. Many of our university administrators and students have come to understand that learning is as much about classroom activities as it is about living, eating and studying with people of different backgrounds.
When I have visited friends at other universities I have noticed a stark contrast between those schools and Maryland. Many of the private schools lack the diversity in race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, sexual identity, physical abilities and class that we have. So after much consideration, I decided that what sets us apart from other colleges and universities – what the “spirit” of Maryland really is – is our embrace of people different from ourselves, as an opportunity to expand our horizons in positive ways.
While this is the spirit of Maryland, I will be the first to recognize that we have not fully realized this spirit in practice. Our university boasts its strong base of students of color – 34 percent – yet anyone can see the deep divisions of race and ethnicity on our campus. Whether in the food court at the Stamp Student Union, the North Campus dining hall or social events, there are clear separations between us. More still, the “Cultural Overkill” column in spring 2005 and the Leonardtown incident last fall sparked divisive and shockingly hateful debates on The Diamondback’s website.
But do not think for a moment these problems are some phenomenon only seen in College Park; rather we must realize that these are reflections of deeper divisions within the United States and the world.
College students have always been known as the agents of change, however, and I can think of no better place to fight these larger societal divisions than right here on our own campus. In fact, there is no better time than right now, when outside groups have decided to use our campus as a pulpit to advocate for greater divisiveness. A week ago, Soulwinner Ministries stood in Nyumburu Amphitheatre declaring that homosexuals would go to hell. A small group of committed students held an inspiring counterprotest. But yesterday another group stood in Nyumburu again. They have permits for today and tomorrow as well.
I have no doubt that the vast majority of us are horrified by the words and actions of these groups. But the vast majority of us will also shake our heads and continue on with our daily routines of classes, the gym and socializing. Yet this is the time for all of us to embrace the true spirit of Maryland by uniting behind the fact that hate is not a University of Maryland value. In fact, it is a value we are willing to actively fight against.
Please join your fellow Terps in demonstrating that hate is not a UMD value by joining in a peaceful counter-protest in Nyumburu today and tomorrow. More importantly though: Continue to show it throughout the school year. When a friend uses derogatory or demeaning language toward another group, have the courage to correct them.
Moreover, embrace your undergraduate experience as an opportunity to explore other cultures and create greater understanding. Enroll in an EDPL338: Intergroup Dialogue; I have taken two and they were by far the best courses in my undergraduate experience. And take advantage of the fact that there are numerous student groups that put on a diverse array of programs. Grab a friend and gather up the courage to go to an event about another culture.
I can guarantee that this is one of the few times in life that we will have such easy opportunities to learn about people of different backgrounds. Embrace it.
Emma Simson is the SGA president. She can be reached at emma.simson@gmail.com.
