To kick off the new spring semester, we have some interesting events on our calendar — Cee Lo Green will be performing in Bender Arena, MLK Service Day and, oh yeah, the Westboro Baptist Church is coming to protest our University. They say in a press release they’re coming to harangue us for being “fag-infested” and “pervert-run.” Shirley Phelps-Roper said they’re coming because they’ll be in the area for other protests and decided to hit us up while they’re around. Whatever motive you choose to believe, they’ll be here this Friday for a whopping 45 minutes on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue with an overwhelming contingency of seven of their members to do their thing. This description alone leaves us cowering in fear of … nothing.
We get it — they’re a very prejudiced group that’s said and done some reprehensible things. They’ve protested soldiers’ funerals. They’re coming to the area for diplomat Richard Holbrooke’s memorial and to protest the Islamic Center. They’ve called us “fag-infested” and “pervert-run.” Basically, they’re here to yell some stuff, stir up trouble and attract attention. And that’s the one thing we shouldn’t give them too much of.
Facebook groups and events regarding this protest have popped up over the last few days, encouraging students to come and protest the group. Don’t get us wrong, we love a good protest now and then — who at this school doesn’t? However, if we let the protest become too loud or violent in any way, we’ve let them win.
We shouldn’t want to give them that feeling of rich success – instead, by leaving them to stand on the corner of Massachusetts Avenue for 45 minutes protesting against a crowd of well-behaved students raising money for good causes, AU will win.
Their coming is noteworthy, but not an event.
Our response should be along the same lines. We should want them to know that we don’t agree with their beliefs by any means, but we’re not going to give them the attention they so desperately crave. If we erupt into anger and violence, then we’re degrading ourselves to their level. If we throw things, they’ll turn it against us.
To the AU community, we implore you — don’t throw things. Don’t try to attack them. Don’t give them what they want.
Let’s refuse to give them legitimacy to their hateful beliefs and show them that we are a community that rises above such prejudices.
We’re proud of AU and we’re proud of the inclusive, accepting atmosphere here. Let’s not let a small band of protesters challenge our civility.
Plans to turn the protest and counter-demonstration into a fundraiser is exactly the sort of way to turn this into a positive moment. If the Westboro Baptist Church wants to make a scene, we can’t stop them. We can, however, turn their own protest against them.
