Words and images are immensely powerful. They can shape public discourse and social relationships, and when they demean and dehumanize others they have a powerful impact on how we live our lives as part of a community.
As communication professionals and scholars, we have an ethical obligation to respond. The latest incident of hate speech associated with the mural wall is a painful reminder that ignorance and fear drive too much of our national discourse and that it is too easy for that discourse to enter into the Ohio University community. The painful image of a lynching should inspire revulsion in all who see it and encourage us to rally to the causes of equality of rights and social justice for all.
We believe that it is time for the Ohio University community to come together to systematically address issues of hate and discrimination. This process will be challenging. Improved dialog regarding race relations on campus is one part of the solution.
However, foundational issues of curriculum, hiring and community building must also be addressed. These are certainly not easy issues, but inaction is not an option. As we move forward to improve these foundations, we find inspiration in the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who reminds us that in the quest for social justice, “We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline.” We reach out to the larger campus community to join us in forging this path forward.
Atish Baidya, Franklyn Church, Thomas Costello, Patrick Evans, Laura Black, Marquis Maines, Michael Rodriguez, Trevor Roycroft, and Jatin Srivastava are members of the Scripps College of Communication Diversity Committee.
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Correction: A previous version of this article misstated Laura Black's name. The article has been updated to show the most accurate information.
