Emory Students So ‘Terrified’ After Seeing Trump 2016 Chalking They Are Offered ‘Emergency Counseling’
Apparently, the word Trump is so terrifying to students at Emory University that the student government association released funds to offer those affected by the chalking “emergency counseling” service. Sadly, this is not satire. Students at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, were so offended by chalking on campus that stated the words “Trump 2016” that they say they now fear for their safety on campus. Students protested the Trump supporters’ chalking by denouncing the candidate they call a bigot and racist, noting that they are “in pain” and feel “intimidated” by the water-soluble chalk letters.
Gawker reports that a number of students were so deeply offended by seeing the words “Trump 2016” on campus that they were offered “emergency counseling” services by the student government association and formed a protest at the Emory Administration Building asking Emory University President James W. Wagner why he couldn’t see that the students were “in pain.”
“You are not listening! Come speak to us, we are in pain!”
The students demanded that Wagner denounce Trump for his racist and bigoted language and that they speak up about the incident to prove that they are not supporters of Trump. In fact, on protester went so far as to tell administration that students shouldn’t be able to voice their support for Trump on campus because it makes her feel unsafe.
“I’m supposed to feel comfortable and safe [here]. But this man [Trump] is being supported by students on our campus and our administration shows that they, by their silence, support it as well … I don’t deserve to feel afraid at my school.”
Another noted that the school must disavow Trump because of his values.
“How can you not [disavow Trump] when Trump’s platform and his values undermine Emory’s values that I believe are diversity and inclusivity when they are obviously not [something that Trump supports]. Banning Muslims? How is that something Emory supports?”
To better understand what the Emory students were offended by which resulted in the protest and counseling service need, check out some of the “offensive,” “painful,” and “intimidating” chalkings below.
My alma mater in the news- Emory kids protest when someone writes TRUMP with sidewalk chalk https://t.co/zwTRwq76px pic.twitter.com/MjeDOZLpu1
— Kmarko (@Kmarkobarstool) March 22, 2016
Chalk one up to Donald Trump at Emory University: https://t.co/HNu1XP2oTz #gapol pic.twitter.com/eufzPIVUEM
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) March 22, 2016
In response to the student protest, the Emory Wheel reports that university president Wagner informed the protesters that the school would not personally make a stance and decry Trump. However, he noted that “the University doesn’t have to say they don’t support Trump, but just to acknowledge that there are students on this campus who feel this way about what’s happening … to acknowledge all of us here.”
Fox Sports provided an email except that was sent to Emory students following the chalking, which notes that emergency funds are being opened to anyone who wants to utilize them for counseling services of those affected by the chalkings for Trump.
“Emergency Funds within the College Council monetary policy were created to provide time-sensitive funds during circumstances involving discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and such funds are available to any student organization looking to sponsor events in response to this incident.”
Interestingly, Donald Trump won Georgia’s GOP primary, so it seems the students at Emory University need to be prepared when they leave the campus because it is highly likely they will run into Trump 2016 signage and may not have the same emergency counseling services available.
College students, stop it. Just stop it. Word “Trump” Written in Chalk Terrifies, Harms Emory Students https://t.co/bnv8itvpNJ
— Adonai (@devincf) March 23, 2016
Emory U investigating pro-Trump messages written in chalk. I’ll take “what is a silly waste of time” for $800, Alex. https://t.co/hu56WLFHE9
— Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahemclaugh) March 23, 2016
What do you think about the Emory students’ response to the Trump 2016 chalkings? Are they taking their protest too far by demanding the school decry the current GOP presidential front runner? If the university sides with the protesters and claims that the words “Trump 2016” are too offensive for the campus, should any political posters or chalkings be allowed?
[Photo by Paul Sancya/AP Photo]
