In the wake of recent events, the Baton Rouge community has been left with heavy hearts. Alton Sterling’s death left many with a distrust for our police department. The recent shooting of six police officers leaving three dead felt like a retaliation to many. Residents of Baton Rouge are now facing a divided community caused by anger and hurt.
As students, we need to come back to campus in the fall with a unified attitude. We all share one thing in common LSU. That alone makes us a community.
This summer has been marked by differences. Current students must set an example for future students — that our campus and our city are loving and home to many different people, and we embrace it.
Even at such a large university, there are still cliques that separate us. We have athletes, Greeks, music majors, Student Government, people who like to sunbathe in the Quad, among many others, but that doesn’t mean we have to stick with that group for the rest of our college careers.
Large groups like Greek Life, SG and sports teams can be a big help with unifying our campus. Their events have the most attendees. We need them to be the face of unity on campus.
While these are exclusive organizations, meaning you have to apply in some way to join, they should have activities to get all of campus involved. Greek organizations throw parties and host tailgates, but often only Greeks attend. A
“Welcome All” sign could do a lot in promoting inclusivity to the campus. People would feel welcome and maybe make a friend in a group they never thought possible.
Football games are for everyone, so it is up to the students to work on unity here. Smiling, chanting and even drinking with people other than your friends can create such a loving environment.
SG is fully aware of what the tragedies in our community can do to our campus. SG has been actively involved in hosting vigils this summer, and I encourage them to continue this in the fall. As our campus leaders, they should create programming for students that bring us closer together.
The University does not select students based on race, gender, culture or religion — it chooses the best people to represent our university, and we need to take on the responsibility to make good changes.
The events that have happened can bring us closer together and act as a catalyst to change the dynamics of the campus.
The University provides us all with opportunities to grow as successful adults and leaders. We need to take on the role they have given us and unify our campus.
Ari’yana Gibson is a 21-year-old English secondary education senior from Slidell, Louisiana.