The Muslim Students' Association stands in solidarity with the movement that demands responsible expansion through community input, increased administrative support, support for Ethnic Studies and revised general education requirements. We support these demands because Columbia University as an institution has demonstrated in the past, and continues to demonstrate, a privileging of certain voices and points of view. The various hate crimes that have occurred on our campus in recent months, as well as disrespectful remarks delivered by the President of our University, are a testament to the systematic marginalization inherent within the structure of Columbia University.
We stand in solidarity with the students who have courageously given their bodies to a movement for student power. We pray for their health and well-being, but recognize that focusing on this particular action would be unjust to their cause. We stand in solidarity with the larger movement that engenders not simply an appreciation of diversity – be it religious, racial, ethnic, class – but a critical understanding and sincere respect of the character of each and every individual.
We stand in solidarity with the students who have courageously given their bodies to a movement for student power. We pray for their health and well-being, but recognize that focusing on this particular action would be unjust to their cause. We stand in solidarity with the larger movement that engenders not simply an appreciation of diversity – be it religious, racial, ethnic, class – but a critical understanding and sincere respect of the character of each and every individual.
