The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Don’t fight for the wrong side

Imagine for a moment that we are a newly racially integrated SMU in 1966, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was invited to speak to the student body. There are only 15 students of color on the campus. Race is the most prevalent Civil Rights issue at the forefront of the U.S.’s doorstep.

Now imagine those 15 students of color and their white friends want to establish a Senate seat for the explicit purpose of making those students feel safe, valued, heard and understood.

Now imagine the Senate passes the piece of legislation establishing the African-American seat, but the student body did not when the legislation is put up for referendum. What would we say, as students in 2014 looking back at our alumni
from 1966?

I think we, as Mustangs, would be ashamed, embarrassed even. And, we should be. Because this is 2014.

While I hesitate to make a 100 percent parallel between race and LGBT issues, I will say this: civil rights are civil rights. Treating people differently based on their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion or any other fact other than their own character is morally wrong. We have a community at SMU that is underserved and does not merit such treatment.

Let us be the trendsetters in the collegiate communities throughout Texas and ensure the sincere regard and respect for all students, faculty and staff. We want to be on the forward side of history, and creating an LGBT seat is a step in that direction.

LGBT issues are growing more and more important not only at SMU, but also within Texas, the United States, and the world. It is important to a prevalent minority that exists on SMU’s campus. The members of the LGBT community as well as their allies on SMU’s campus have fought tirelessly for 10 whole years trying to pass
this piece.

Currently, we have five special interest seats: African-American Senator, Asian-American Senator, Hispanic-American Senator, International Senator, and Transfer Senator. While there was a great deal of controversy with the creation of the Transfer seat, I challenge anyone to look at the work and pieces passed by the previous and current Transfer Senators to justify the need for that position. Those individuals who wanted the Transfer seat fought to serve an underserved community and ensure their voice was prominent and heard.

Furthermore, I think it is important to highlight what an LGBT seat will say to outsiders looking in. The Senate Diversity Committee is in the middle of Diversity Week. Our second event was Monday (an art show that took place in the Hughes-Trigg Commons). Given that it’s April and the incoming first-years have to put in their seat deposits soon, there have been dozens of campus tours going on. The tour guides stopped and told their groups about the event we were hosting.

A mother left a tour group and approached me. She asked, “What exactly does the Senate Diversity Committee do?” I gave her a brief explanation about the Committee and Senate in general, mentioning that we worked to represent different facets of life, including that of race and LGBT issues. I even mentioned the special interest seats in Senate. “Wait,” she said, “You have an LGBT organization on campus?” I replied “Yes, ma’am! Several in fact.” To which she replied, “What are these other interest seats?” To which I replied “African, Hispanic, Asian–” And then, she cut me off, putting her hand up, and said scoffing, “That’s all I needed to know,” walking away before I could finish. She was disgusted and I thought to myself, I hope I just kept someone so closed minded away from the school I love. Actually, I was proud of myself, because someone who doesn’t have a sincere regard and respect for others doesn’t deserve to be a Mustang.

What I mean by that story is this: what would an LGBT seat say to the world looking at SMU? Are we truly “world changers?” Because, again, if we are what we say we are, we need to be on the right side of history, the forward side. And, we need to tell those people who are on the wrong side that they aren’t welcome here.

We need 1,053 signatures by Monday, April 14th at noon submitted to Jennifer “JJ” Jones’ office on the third floor of Hughes-Trigg to put this seat up for referendum again. Be on the forward side. Sign the petition. Vote yes.

Elmazi is a senior majoring in political science and international studies.

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