Response to Inflammatory Group on Campus Today
Dear Grinnellians,
Today a traveling group spouting inflammatory, hateful speech visited our campus. For more than 40 years, this group has visited college campuses, standing on public streets and shouting vitriol in an attempt to provoke onlookers. Their expertise in knowing exactly which streets are public provides them with the legal cover they need for their operations.
We can simultaneously understand the laws that protect speech in public streets and denounce that speech. What was said this afternoon was intended to hurt and provoke and we condemn every word. Whatever misery drives these individuals is not ours. Our strength comes from how we build people up, how we continue to learn, how we champion human dignity, and how we change the systems that threaten or harm that dignity. I deeply mourn the presence of this group on our campus, and I am sorry for what any of you endured.
To the student leader whose clear strong voice rang out telling students that this hate was not worth anyone’s time; to the student leader, whose presence and leadership mattered deeply in that moment; to the student with the Dickens novel who played the bagpipes; to the student who came with a guitar and a speaker and played beautiful music; to all the students who spoke their truth; to the Student Affairs and Campus Safety staff who were on-site for the entire ordeal; to the students who brought speakers and blasted music; to everyone who walked away; to the students who own their identity proudly; to the faculty, staff, and students supporting each other now – thank you.
The students, staff, and faculty gathered in front of JRC demonstrated yet more of the strength and brilliance of this community. You care powerfully about each other and I appreciate your hearing our message of not giving your energy and well-being to hate. The strength that it takes to not give energy and well-being to hate takes a toll, however, and I hope that if you were exposed to this group, you are continuing to find support among services or friends or both.
This group may be back – they have been known to do that – with or without warning. If they do, they will not be here to engage in dialogue; they will be here to provoke us into engaging with them so that they can monetize their business of selling hatred, racism, and homophobia to continue to build their following and funding. Firefighters deprive a fire of oxygen to put it out. Ignoring this group, though hard when they are on the attack, can starve their operation. If they return to campus, we will be ready with the strength, resolve, and resources that were brought to bear by so many today to curb their message. Hate has no place here.
I have listed our resources for recovery below; please know that they are at the ready, always, for you as we all continue to persevere in our life and work.
In all admiration and love for Grinnell,
Anne F. Harris
President
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Resources for students:
- Phone counselors are available by calling the Need-to-Talk line 641-269-4404
- Student Health and Counseling Services 641-269-3230
- Those on the College health insurance or with Virtual Care may access tele-health and mental-health services directly.
- The Dean on-call can be reached by contacting Campus Safety 641-269-4600
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Schvalla Rivera riverasc@grinnell.edu, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Intercultural Affairs ica@grinnell.edu
- Vrinda Varia variavri@grinnell.edu, Assistant Chief Diversity Officer for Intercultural Student Life 641-269-3711
- Stonewall Resource Center: space is open with P-Card access (8 am to midnight)
- Black Cultural Center: space is open with P-Card access (8 am to midnight)
- Chaplain Deanna Shorb, shorb@grinnell.edu, 641-269-4981 or via Campus Safety 641-269-4600
Resources for faculty and staff:
- Employee and Family Services
- 800-327-4692
- TTY: 877-542-6488
- www.efr.org
- Chaplain Deanna Shorb, shorb@grinnell.edu, 641-269-4981 or after hours via Campus Safety 641-269-4600