By John Q. Hosedrinker I am appalled and deeply disturbed by the recent news of two students at Gettysburg College being dismissed from the swim team after one of them allegedly used a box cutter to carve a racial slur onto another student’s chest. The fact that this kind of abhorrent behavior is still happening in this day and age is absolutely sickening. This is not a mere scratching, as the word used in the headlines suggests. This is a violent and hateful act of racism that should not be minimized.
The victim, who was the only person of color at the gathering, was betrayed by someone he considered a friend and trusted. The use of a box cutter to etch such a derogatory term onto his chest is not only physically harmful but psychologically scarring as well. The fact that the victim was then kicked off the swim team while the perpetrators were simply dismissed is outrageous. The victim is the one who experienced trauma and yet is being punished while the attackers face minimal consequences.
The lack of immediate police involvement is also concerning. They should have been called in immediately to investigate this hate crime. The fact that the victim chose to handle the matter internally, despite college officials encouraging him to involve the police, raises questions about the college’s ability to address such serious incidents effectively.
It is clear that more needs to be done to combat racism and hate crimes on college campuses. Schools should provide better diversity training and support for students who have experienced discrimination. Forums for open discussion on these issues should be encouraged to create a more inclusive and understanding environment.
This incident is a stark reminder of the deep-rooted racism that still exists in our society. It is up to all of us to stand up against such hateful acts and work towards creating a more tolerant and accepting community for everyone. The perpetrators of this heinous act should be held accountable for their actions and justice must be served. Hate has no place in our society, and it is up to each and every one of us to actively fight against it. The recent news of two students at Gettysburg College being dismissed from the swim team after a despicable incident where a racial slur was carved onto another student’s chest with a box cutter is truly appalling. The use of the term “scratch” to describe such a violent act is a gross understatement. This was not just a surface mark but a deeply hurtful and traumatic experience for the victim, who was betrayed by someone he considered a friend. The fact that this student, who was the only person of color at the gathering, faced repercussions while the perpetrators were simply dismissed is unjust and highlights a significant flaw in the college’s response.
The lack of immediate involvement of law enforcement is equally unsettling. The severity of this hate crime should have prompted swift action from the authorities. The victim opting to handle the matter internally, despite being encouraged by college officials to involve the police, raises concerns about the college’s approach to addressing such serious incidents. The perpetrators of this vile act must be held accountable, not just by the college but also within the legal system.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive racism that still exists in our society. It is crucial that steps be taken to combat such behavior on college campuses and beyond. Better diversity training and support are imperative to create a more inclusive and understanding environment for all students. Open forums for discussion can help foster dialogue and awareness about issues of discrimination and racism.
As a society, we must collectively denounce hate crimes and actively work towards building a more tolerant and accepting community. The perpetrators of this heinous act must face the consequences of their actions, and justice must prevail. We cannot turn a blind eye to acts of racism and discrimination. It is incumbent upon each of us to stand against hatred and strive to create a more equitable and harmonious society for everyone. Hate has no place in our world, and we must all join forces to eliminate it.