Letter to the Editor:
Community and unity

On Oct. 15, I went to Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Million Man March’s 10th anniversary. While there, I learned unity is possible, peace is possible and change is in the air.

With that in mind, I look back to a recent incident in which I was affected. An allegedly intoxicated resident stood outside of Gee residence hall, yelling derogatory comments and racial slurs, including every variation of the “N word” in the book. I can’t help but think about how outdated the collective mentalities of the local and nationwide communities are, especially since this country truly is the “United” States of America and wishes to attain peace. This isn’t the semester’s first occurrence of intolerance.

Being among the estimated million black men and women who united in this demonstration at Washington, D.C.’s National Mall, I witnessed world leaders of color speaking from the White House steps. They mentioned the injustice of keeping political prisoners; new ties with Cuba, the Native Americans, Mexico and several African countries; the vision of “The United States of Africa”; and new hopes for unity within the Caribbean and West Indian territories. A question arose about acquiring funds for this large-scale movement. Means and methods were discussed in detail, which I found impressive. In this time of war, natural disaster, controversies within the church and “American Imperialism,” visions of peace, unity and harmony are few and far between.

We should examine these efforts and evaluate ourselves as a global community with shared aspirations and values. Regardless of gender, class or race, we are all human. We all want to live our lives peacefully in a positive community.

Unity is a state of mind. If a million people from all over the world can peacefully gather in Washington, D.C., it should be simple for the few thousand people of Rider’s community to unite under the common goal of education and the irreplaceable life experience that is college.

The future is now. As a senior at this University, I challenge Rider students, faculty and administration to exercise the Social Codes of Conduct and Harmony listed within The Source, not because you have to, but because you want to. Do it because you truly believe it is necessary to the continuity of a positive college experience and want to add to the increasing number of alumni who are proud of their alma mater and live their lives contributing to a more “United” States of America, one person at a time.
That is what we all want... isn’t it?

—Jamaal Harris
Senior