SPOTLIGHT: Student rally to put a halt on hate

By Daniel Sandiford
Collegian Editor
March 22, 2006

During the week of March 27, La Salle’s multicultural organizations will be sponsoring campus events as a part of H.A.L.T. week. The goal is to encourage acceptance between people of different cultures. One of the week’s highlights includes breaking down the “Hate Wall,” which will eventually be replaced by a H.A.L.T. wall. This week, Spotlight! met with co-coordinator of the Alliance, Melissa Meyer, who told us more about the upcoming events.

Spotlight: Throughout the week, there will be a lot of programs that focus on diversity and acceptance. What are some of the major events being organized?

Melissa Meyer: There is the H.A.L.T. rally on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. on the Main Quad [Backstage is the rain location]. This is a rally to call people to respect diversity on and off campus; a showing and discussion of the movie Crash presented by Cherylyn Rush; SGA and AASL on Monday from 6:30-9 p.m. in Olney 100; and a roundtable discussion on different cultural traditions and experiences on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. in Olney 100 hosted by A/Asia and Cross Cultural Association. For more events, please see a flyer. They are everywhere.

SP: One of the events on the agenda is breaking down the “Hate Wall.” What is the “Hate Wall,” and what does it represent?

MM: The “Hate Wall” begins as a monotone wall of derogatory language. Students are supposed to recognize that these words are inappropriate [to use] at La Salle. They have to help “break down” the wall of hate and build the wall of H.A.L.T. Students are encouraged to write down words or phrases on colorful sheets of paper that correspond to H.A.L.T. Week’s messages and themes [hope, acceptance, love, tolerance, diversity, etc.]. In doing so, students will receive a free T-shirt that says, “I respect diversity”.

SP: Where will the “Hate Wall” be located?

MM: On Metro Café’s window.

SP: What is the ultimate goal of H.A.L.T. week?

MM: To promote tolerance of diversity on campus and to, hopefully, broaden students’ and faculty members’ horizons by experiencing different cultures, etc.

SP: Which organizations are involved with H.A.L.T. week?

MM: Alliance, A/Asia, AASL, OLAS, PEERS, LATINS, Social Justice Committee, Cross Cultural Association, SGA, UMAS, Community Development, Study Abroad Alumni, Multi Cultural and International Center, Late Night La Salle and Neo African Drums. [Cherylyn Rush is also involved].

SP: What do you hope students will take away from the week?

MM: A newfound respect for their peers, exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking, and a sense of equality among all people.

SP: Do you think that there should be more programs like this at La Salle?

MM: Yes, as long as there are still acts of hate on campus such as the graffiti incident of last semester and the defacing of the Rosa Parks memorial.

SP: Is Alliance planning any other major events for the upcoming weeks?

MM: National Day of Silence, which is a student-led day of action where those who support making anti-LGBT bias unacceptable in schools take a day-long vow of silence to recognize and protest the discrimination and harassment. In effect, we are mimicking the silence experienced by LGBT students and their allies.

sandifordd1@lasalle.edu