Michigan State University announced that this coming fall whiteboards outside students’ dorms will be banned after students were left feeling harassed due to pictures and statements left on them. The banning of these whiteboards is a step in the right direction.

However, many feel that the institution needs to do more than just eliminate the whiteboards.

Harassment does not come from the pen writing the hateful messages, it comes from the person wielding the pen. The university said it is working toward ensuring that students understand the importance of diversity and are accepting of differences by the time they graduate.

Taking an initiative and banning whiteboards will stop some harassment, but not all. Eliminating whiteboards will make it less convenient for students to harass others. However, if a person truly believes that what they are doing is acceptable, then only taking away whiteboards is not going to stop harassment. They will find alternate routes of harassing someone, possibly in person. This could lead to dangerous outcomes.

The university needs to follow up the banning of whiteboards with mandatory sessions for all students in order to inform the students about the dangers of harassment. The university may also consider tightening their policies on harassment and discrimination in order to stop the destructive behavior.

This is not just a problem for Michigan State. This discriminatory trend is present at all colleges and universities throughout the country.

In light of the recent presidential election, many seem to have gained confidence in their opinions and think it reasonable to express them citing the First Amendment of the Constitution and the right to free speech. Often times these statements are derogatory, racist, sexist and in opposition to the LGBTQ community.

Unfortunately, the United States government has neglected to address the issue, become policies put in place by President Donald Trump agree with some of the discriminatory comments.

Many racist comments toward people from the Middle East stem from the travel ban placed upon people from the countries of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Although Trump said that the ban was not a matter of race or religion and strictly terrorism, it implies that the people coming into the U.S. from these counties are the source of terrorism.

In fact, after the ban was lifted Trump tweeted, “Because the ban was lifted by a judge, many bad and dangerous people may be pouring into our country. A terrible decision.” The acts of the president have a large impact on the people and many citizens may now think it acceptable to spread hate.

The LGBTQ community is also facing backlash after the president enacted an order banning transgender student’s ability to choose the bathroom of their choice according to how they identify.

The hate written on whiteboards across the country is because of the discriminatory actions taken by the federal government.

Because many of the people reading this are likely college students it is important that students recognize these hateful messages and try to put a stop to them. One does not have to disagree with the actions of the federal government, they only have to agree that the hate caused by some of them needs to be stopped.

At Oswego State students have whiteboards outside of the dorm rooms as well. If a student sees a hateful message, tell someone. See if someone can do something to ensure that this does not happen again. This can stop harassment, end discrimination and erase hate.