As a one-time Pacific University student, I'm proud of how the Pacific community reacted today after "slurs against women, Muslims, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community" were found written in chalk on a university building. The Oregonian reports:
FOREST GROVE -- Three days after finding hateful words scrawled in chalk outside a campus building, Pacific University sophomore Blaise Holden drew hearts on a nearby stretch of sidewalk.
"There's a strong reaction against it. People don't want to be passive," he said.
Holden was among more than 75 students who gathered Monday in a courtyard at the Forest Grove campus to combat an outbreak of hateful graffiti with a "love chalk."
The messages found Friday outside three campus buildings included slurs against women, Muslims, and members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.
One of them, Holden said, included the phrase "abortion is green," suggested that the 9/11 terrorists attacks were an inside job, and quoted a bible verse while targeting gay men.
"I just sat and stared for a really long time and tried to figure out where that was coming from," Holden said.
By early Monday afternoon, the sidewalks had been smothered with hearts, peace signs, rainbows and multicolored messages of acceptance. "You are beautiful," one message read. Another: "Support diversity."
As a minister in the United Church of Christ, I am particularly disheartened that someone used Scripture to attack gays and lesbians. Hate is not the way of Jesus. But so many - including political groups like Focus on the Family - misuse Scripture to promote hate and discrimination that there is no surprise that this event took place.
On the Right, we see what feels like unprecedented hatred directed against women, Muslims and gays. Just listen to Glenn Beck, Lars Larson, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich or GOP New York State gubernatorial nominee Carl P. Paladino.
Those that preach hate must accept some of responsibility for acts of hate that occur.
Today the Pacific community stood up to such hate and set an example for all of us.
We were actually on the Pacific campus on Friday. Liz's office held a conference there to discuss school based health care centers. I always enjoy visiting.
Pacific University was founded in 1849 by Congregational pioneers and remains related to the United Church of Christ. I will be preaching at Forest Grove United Church of Christ, across the street from Pacific's main campus, on Sunday, November 7th. The service begins at 10am. All are welcome.
