Students, staff and University of Maryland community members gathered in the Stamp Student Union Colony Ballroom on Thursday, April 2, 2015 to discuss issues of racism and sexual violence on campus and in Greek life.

There should be little doubt in anyone’s mind that the leaked email, written by a former brother of this university’s chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, is deplorable and a disgrace to our campus.

The email’s words are dripping with racism and misogyny, reminding us that not only are people of color considered inferior by some but also that women on this campus continue to be viewed as objects to be conquered. I am disturbed to know this kind of thinking still exists on my campus.

The same campus that I grew up near, that I attended summer classes at while in high school and from which my family received their diplomas. This university is basically my second home, but with the recent events, I feel unwelcome here.

University President Wallace Loh recently sent out an email about the investigation, announcing the email’s sender will receive “training in diversity and culture competence” along with community service.

Would this student really care about diversity if he hadn’t been caught? Would the six other members of his former fraternity stop accepting this type of language as offensive and disgusting had the email not been leaked?

I truly doubt it.

On Thursday, emotions ran high as students attended the town hall meeting.

People expressed their fears, concerns and horrors about the university’s decision. Some of the comments made by officials, such as Catherine Carroll’s, truly disturbed me.

Carroll said the email was from 14 months ago and did not show imminent harm. Discrimination against women of color isn’t harmful? Ignoring consent is not harmful for students? What was the point of the sexual misconduct training then?

It feels as though the town hall meeting ignited more controversy than answers.

Knowing established organizations on my campus espouse these ideals is rather unsettling. If I don’t feel comfortable at this university, why should I tell potentially interested students to come here? Why should I speak highly of anything here when this school accepted the actions of that student? Yes, there is freedom of speech but what does it say when such language shows the lack of respect for other cultures or a woman’s decision to consent?

But instead of reiterating the same old point of respecting other people different than you I want to reach out to those hurt.

To those hurt by the words of a careless email, to those offended by the words used and to those frustrated with another example of being an outsider in a white man’s world, I say: Use such feelings productively.

Speak out if you hear someone say something offensive. Let them know what they said can hurt people. Continue talking about the issues revolving around race and sex. Don’t let these conversations stop.

I know that it can get frustrating to have to explain, and at times defend, this concept. It should be common knowledge that certain actions or words carry heavy weight of historical oppression but imagine what the impact such conversations may have for future generations?

People of color and women are active members of this campus body. We are charged with holding each other and the larger governing body accountable for creating a safe space for all students, despite their background. We should never let our voices be silenced by the ignorance of others.

I don’t like having to prove myself in the newsroom, in the classroom or in the dorm room because of any preconceived notions that might come with being a black woman but I do it anyway.

Why?

I want to prove them wrong. To all those people who use stereotypes to justify how they label others, you are wrong.

Loh and the university might have severely disappointed parts of the student body, but we can still voice our opinions.

We must never stop having these conversations; these conversations are the key to the vitality of our campus.