The Associated Students of Colorado State University voted on two resolutions Wednesday evening meant to condemn and hold accountability for hate speech, as a result of the University’s recent blackface incident.
Hundreds of students, community members and interested groups attended the meeting to push for senators and University administration to take action.
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ASCSU President Ben Amundson spoke in favor of action against acts of racism and showed support to the affected communities.
“We can do so much more, and we know that,” Amundson said. “There are students here who are hurt, and, to me, that’s something I take to heart. As a Black student, it’s not your job to solve racism when white students are creating racist acts on campus.”
Resolution 4902: Condemning the acts of hate speech of the Colorado State University campus
I’m sorry that we cannot end racism. However, we can take steps to alleviate some of the pain of the effects of racism, sexism and the disrespect to all marginalized communities.” -ASCSU Senator Jaquikeyah Fields
Resolution 4902, presented by Senator Tristan Reyez, was expedited and passed with a 37-1-0 vote.
The focus of the resolution was to reject the act of racism in its entirety and to recognize its impacts on students, according to the resolution.
“Tonight, I cried,” Reyez said. “I cried at hearing students tell me about how awful they feel to be a Ram and how awful they feel to experience racism every single day.”
Reyez said the act of blackface was not an isolated incident and that he wants students to know the resolution is about opening the dialogue about other effects of racism on campus.
“We, as students from across the nation, must work together to form a collective stance on racism,” Reyez said.
Senator Diego Tovar said this resolution is just the start.
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“Saying no to this resolution just halts everything, and we start over,” Tovar said. “Do we want another incident on our campus? Just think about who you represent.”
Resolution 4903: Accountability for hate speech against students
In this conversation, there is no room for extension or objection because we are beyond the times of objection and extension from elected officials on these issues.” -Tim Hernandez, teacher
The second resolution of the evening was also expedited and passed.
This resolution, presented by Senator Jaquikeyah Fields, asked for there to be accountability for those who partake in hate speech, particularly the blackface incident.
“This resolution was created with all of you in mind,” Fields said. “We are senators, and we represent you all. I’m sorry that we cannot end racism. However, we can take steps to alleviate some of the pain of the effects of racism, sexism and the disrespect to all marginalized communities.”
Senator Ethan Burshek asked about the ethical implications of the resolution.
“I have listened and heard your thoughts and your pain; I am willing to look for a solution,” Burshek said. “But I want the right solution, and I want a solution that does not cause even more pain.”
Burshek said the incident is protected under the First Amendment and is free speech and that the University must follow the dictates of the Constitution above all else.
Senator Austin Fearn said the Supreme Court has held up that hate speech is protected by the First Amendment, but they can still say the Supreme Court is wrong.
“It is within our power to say that that is not correct,” Fearn said.
Tim Hernandez, a teacher from Denver, said this is what the discussion and dialogue on race has needed to be for hundreds of years.
“In this conversation, there is no room for extension or objection because we are beyond the times of objection and extension from elected officials on these issues,” Hernandez said. “Some of my students drove an hour and fourteen minutes from Denver, Colorado, and paid their personal gas money to came to this meeting to express their thoughts.”
Hernandez said this resolution does not just impact the climate and campus of CSU.
“You, right now, at 12:22 in the morning, have an intentional role in building a culture of higher education in the state of Colorado,” Hernandez said. “So, I ask you today, are your actions and what you are speaking about conducive to the future of higher education, or is it your personal opinion?”
The resolution was passed in a 31-5-2 roll call vote.
Charlotte Lang can be reached at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @chartrickwrites.
