Student Body President Rusty Mau responds to the flurry of online racist remarks associated with N.C. State students that appeared on Yik Yak and other social media sites following Friday’s die-in and march demonstrations.
“I am angered and confused by the ignorance displayed,” Mau said.
In a letter to students Tuesday, Mau promises to implement campus efforts to combat ignorance on campus.
Mau’s Letter:
“Dear Wolfpack,
Thank you to those who had the courage to exercise their freedom of speech at Friday’s ‘die-in’ protest. I respect those who have the courage to question the status quo. However, I am appalled by racist remarks made on an anonymous social media platform. I am angered and confused by the ignorance displayed. How can we, as a community, claim to be educated and accepting when we show ignorance such as this? The Wolfpack is better than this. We all know this to be true.
When we return in the Spring, Devan and I will work with our Student Government team to implement campus efforts to combat this ignorance, to protect all NC State students, and to ensure this campus is an open and inclusive forum for discussion, transformation, and growth. This is our duty as a community, as the future leaders of this nation. America is strong because people speak up. Everyone on this campus must have the opportunity and comfort to do so.
Please help us by refusing to contribute to the ignorance. Have a serious, respectful conversation with a peer. Recognize others’ perception of your comments. Leave this campus better than you found it. Above all, be respectful of others.
Friday’s demonstration is a great example of this. Thank you to those who had the courage to speak out. We can all learn a great deal from you.
Sincerely,
Rusty Mau”
