With vivid memories of the riots in Ferguson, Missouri, and the escalation of racial tension on Staten Island and in our nation following the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, it was very easy to recognize that the racial divide in our society is still very present.
This past week, we saw evidence that that tension is also present here at St. Bonaventure University.
On Monday evening, Jan. 19, more than 100 students, faculty, staff and members of the local community joined in a prayer service to recognize the life and witness of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Our celebration started in the Thomas Merton Center and we proudly walked together as a campus community, not only remembering how far we have come but also reflecting on the injustices in our society that remain.
During our “march” through campus we encountered iconic images representing those social injustices among us. We walked together in witness of the work that is still yet to be done. As we proceeded through campus, we carried each icon with us as we processed through campus.
Our pilgrimage ultimately led us to the University Chapel where our guest speaker, Pastor Jeff Carter of Ephesus Ministries in Buffalo, told stories of the great racial divide that existed while growing up as a black man in segregated Louisiana. The height of the spirit contained in that evening is beyond words.
Unfortunately, those heights came crashing down when we received word last Thursday that the icons had been desecrated.
Not only was it offensive to the Black Student Union, The Urban Art Club, artist Sean Conklin, University Ministries, the Damietta Center and all those who planned the ceremony, it was also a great offense that someone would desecrate —to violate the sanctity of — the University Chapel, a place held as sacred by many peoples, Catholic and non-Catholics alike. We fully understand the complexities within the issue of race relations, civil rights and social justice and that they do cause a variety of reactions. We also firmly believe that everyone has the right to speak and express his or her opinions. We do, however, find this action and desecration deplorable and we will not tolerate when someone violates the rights of others, damages property or acts in a destructive way. That is never acceptable.
This is being treated as an act of vandalism by the university and it is our hope and intention to find out who insulted many people by this ignorant act. (Anyone with information on the incident is strongly encouraged to contact Safety and Security.)
There are many constructive ways to express our difference of opinion, our questions or our concerns. A signed letter to the editor of The BV or a request to talk to the sponsoring agents of the celebration are just two ways that come to mind. They, however, would require that we not hide our cowardly actions behind anonymity.
If nothing else, this very sad act punctuates how much work needs to be done at St. Bonaventure to acknowledge our diversity, tolerance and acceptance of alternative ideas, values, cultures, races and creeds. We have come a long way in all of those areas, but obviously more is needed.
It is our hope that through a combined effort of the Damietta Center, Student Affairs, University Ministries and the University at-large we can continue to foster common discussions and workshops in order to decrease the racial tensions on campus and once again raise the spirit of unity found in our commonality. It is our hope that we build peace at St. Bonaventure, and in our world, through our mutual respect and mature relationships with one another.
Ms. Yvonne Makl,
Director of the Damietta Center
Fr. Francis Di Spigno, O.F.M.,
Exec. Director of University Ministries
Mr. Rick Trietley,
Vice President for Student Affairs
