Tag Archive for: Emory University

Students demand ‘chalk free zones’ after Trump 2016 graffiti found at Emory U.

Trump “chalking attacks” are appearing on college campuses across America. It began on the campus of Emory University where “Trump 2016”, “Vote Trump 2016” and “Trump” graffiti was found on buildings, sidewalks and on benches written in chalk on the university campus.

trump chalk composit image

According to the Emory Wheel:

Students protested yesterday at the Emory Administration Building following a series of overnight, apparent pro-Donald Trump for president chalkings throughout campus.

Roughly 40 students gathered shortly after 4:30 p.m. in the outdoors space between the Administration Building and Goodrich C. White Hall; many students carried signs featuring slogans such as “Stop Trump” or “Stop Hate” and an antiphonal chant addressed to University administration, led by College sophomore Jonathan Peraza, resounded “You are not listening! Come speak to us, we are in pain!” throughout the Quad.

Due to the Trump chalking attacks students like Peraza feel threatened and may be suffering from Post Traumatic Chalk Syndrome.

The Emory College Council (CC) and Student Government Association (SGA) sent emails to the Emory community to address student concerns and responses. The emails ask that the administration support creating an Emory University “chalk free zone.” This is similar to the free speech zones created on many college and university campuses to keep hate speech (i.e. any non-collectivist ideas) and bigotry (i.e. discussion of illegal alien students on campus) limited to a 3′ by 3′ area. Chalk free zones are similar to the “no-go zones” created by Muslim communities to stop Islamophobia.

In the joint email sent on behalf of CC and SGA, representatives wrote that they “remain unapologetically dedicated to inclusion, diversity and equity.” Which by definition excludes the leading Republican candidate for president Donald J. Trump.

The NAACP issued the following statement:

We are concerned that the chalk used in these attacks is white.

Clearly the person or persons responsible are racists and we consider these ‘Trump chalkings’ hate speech. We have asked the Department of Justice and FBI to open an investigation into this and other chalking attacks. These Trump chalking attacks must be stopped, or else.

We consider chalking a new form of lynching. We must stop those responsible in the name of inclusion, diversity and equity.

The NAACP supports students in their efforts to make Emory University a chalk free zone.

We must not judge a person by the color of their skin but rather by the color of the chalk they use.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the largest manufacturing association in the United States representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states, in a press release noted:

Chalk makers are concerned that they will be targeted by anti-Trump, George Soros funded, organizations such as Black Lives Matter, La Raza and MoveOn.org. We are already receiving calls from some of the 55 chalk makers and 195 distributors of chalk products of threatening letters, phone calls and emails.

One caller stated, ‘Stop selling chalk or you will pay the price for fomenting violence. The chalk stains are on your hands!’

We have also received letters containing a white power, believed to be Calcium Carbonate (a.k.a. chalk). We understand that several members of the Trump family have received envelopes containing white powder as well.

The Donald Trump for President campaign noted:

Chalk and chalk boards have been used by teachers and college professors since their invention.

We believe that the use of chalk is free speech covered by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. While we feel the pain of those students at Emory University who are suffering from Post Traumatic Chalk Syndrome (PTCS), however, we must protect freedom of speech on our college campuses.

Mr. Trump has offered to provide free counseling services to Sophomore Jonathan Peraza at Emory University, as soon as he invites Mr. Trump to speak there.

The Keep Chalk on College Campuses (KCCC) free speech movement in a short statement said, “Chalk U!”

RELATED ARTICLES:

Student accused of violating university ‘safe space’ by raising her hand

Emory president: Students scared and in pain by Trump 2016 chalk signs

Emory University Students Upset at Pro-Trump Chalk

EDITORS NOTE: This political satire originally appeared in Chalk It Up Magazine.