On August 20, 2017 a hate crime was reported to the Westerville Police Department. T&C Media reporter Bailey Ross talked to OUSG President, Jeremy Paul about how a hate crime so close to campus could affect students and ways they could prevent hate crimes and speech on campus.
A Westerville family woke up with the word “Jew” written in shaving cream on their driveway Sunday, August 20. This came as a surprise to many people in Westerville, including OUSG President, Jeremy Paul who's lived in Westerville his entire life.
“You always hear that this is everywhere and that things like this can happen to any community, but when you see it in your own community it is a little hard to stomach,” said Paul.
Paul said it’s important for people to understand that racism has never gone away completely, and the community needs to stay strong in loving one another.
“Until we come together as a community and show love, these groups that perpetuate hate will continue to thrive,” said Paul.
Recently, Paul along with hundreds of other Student Body Presidents across the United States signed an online statement inspired by the recent events in Charlottesville, Virginia. The statement says that the presidents who sign will advocate for the victimized and marginalized students on their campuses. You can read the statement here.
Another action being taken by Paul and his Vice President Steven Shroeck to combat racism on Otterbein’s campus, is the implementation of a diversity grant.
“I think that the way we can rule out this hate is through education and I think that our student organizations here at Otterbein are some of the best ways that we can do that,” said Paul.
Paul said that acts of racism affect everyone and it’s the responsibility of young people who are passionate about love to continue to spread it.
