Recently, the Compton Center for Peace and Justice displayed three chalkboards on campus with the phrase "Before I Die I Want To/Will..." inviting members of our community to share their hopes, dreams, and aspirations. The Compton Interns and I agreed that this public art project would be the perfect end-of-the-semester event because it was interactive and encouraged people to think about what's most important to them in a fun, creative way. There were two boards placed in Academic Quad and one board across from Bowman Park on Hanna Street.
Unfortunately, over last weekend, the chalkboard by Bowman Park was defaced with inappropriate, hateful language. Thankfully, someone reported it to Public Safety and the board was immediately removed. However, I am uncertain how long the hurtful messages were displayed and how many people read those words, perhaps making them feel marginalized, unwelcome and unsafe in their own community. For this, I am truly sorry.
As a representative of the Compton Center for Peace and Justice, I would like to apologize to the members of the DePauw and Greencastle community who were hurt in this act of vandalism; I am sorry for the pain this has caused you. If you have been affected by this incident and want to express your concerns and thoughts, please contact me. You may also contact Vince Greer, who heads the Bias Incident Response Team (BIRT) and is currently investigating this matter further.
The Compton Center will continue its work in fighting injustices and oppression faced by many in our community. In the fall, we will address this incident again focusing on the ways we can unify and strengthen the bonds between us.
Valerie Rudolph
Compton Center for Peace and Justice