Let’s be like Mizzou and stand together

When I hear someone talking about the University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou, I think about the recent racist acts that have occurred. I think about the political, underlying reason why President Wolfe resigned from office. I think about the celebration from the unified student body, which leads me to only imagine Southern’s student body being just that; unified to make change on campus.
For the past month, students of Mizzou, mainly African American, in Colombia, Missouri have been protesting against a racist system of administrators. The protest was sparked after a swastika was carved with smeared faces on a new dormitory, students had had enough. Protestors, led by the student organization Concerned Student 1950, went on strike and boycotted classes to make a stand against this indecent behavior. After 32 African American Mizzou football players refused to play in any games of the season. It was then that President Wolfe resigned on November 9, being only two days after the players went on strike. Keep in mind that every game forfeited costs the university to lose almost 1 million dollars. Some have questioned the reason for the former president’s resignation. Was it for the students or the finances? That question may remain unanswered.
With the turmoil and tension happening at Mizzou right now, I can only think about my dear SU. Although we do not have many reports on racism on this campus, we are not flawless. We have other issues that can be improved if the student body comes together collectively.
When asked some major issues that would take the student body to implement change, a few students mentioned some key issues. “The admission process is just slow. Things don’t get done on time, and the students have to suffer for it,” he said.
Although some may cruise through the admissions process, students in the masses wait in the financial aid line for hours, and even come back the next day just to wait for hours again, just to do something as simple as check if their financial aid has been applied since Banner may or may not be updated. If time constraints occur, some students may not be able to get these issues handled and then be purged from classes.
Another issue that might take the entire student body and support from faculty would be the heart of Southern and what seems to pose an imaginary question mark over everyone’s head. Freshman Rehabilitation Services major from Jonesville, Louisiana, Trevor Vault, mentioned this issue.
“To me it’s the jaguar situation. We have an empty cage sitting there unused, and if we had a live jaguar, that could help the morale of the school. Visitors would think it’s cool we have a live jaguar and it would boost the football team too by bringing it out as they’re walking out,” he said.
It actually makes you wonder. Where is Lacumba? It has been years since we have had one. We used to pay for his deteriorating dwelling in our registration fees. However, is there ever going to be a jaguar actually in here on campus again?
The occurring events at the University of Missouri have struck the collegiate nation. Some make a mockery of the situation while some, such as Yale students, who are truly fed up.
These educated, black students are tired of being degraded, and with so many of us that are fed up in this generation, we can bring great change by coming together and taking a stand!