Without judgment, anger, or hatred, she managed to express the fears she and other minority students have for their safety — and the school took notice.
On Friday, November 11th, over 300 students gathered to walk this student to class and ensure that she felt safe and loved on campus.
SHARE this article on Facebook, because even though you can't #walkwithtasha, you can still stand with her.
Last Wednesday, in Waco, Texas, Natasha Nkhama experienced bullying.
The 19-year-old college sophomore was walking alone on Baylor University campus when another student targeted and racially harassed her.
We typically think of bullying as 10-year-olds knocking down smaller kids for lunch money.
But that idea is really outdated. 25% of all students are bullied at school, and 41% of students face some kind of racial discrimination by their peers.
Natasha took to Facebook after the incident.
Her emotional post described what happened as she walked between classes on campus.
"On my way to class, this guy went out of his way to bump into me and... shove me off the sidewalk," she said. "He said ‘no n*ggers allowed on the sidewalk’."
Despite this racist, horrible act, Natasha said she wasn't angry. "I am not mad, I am not sad, and I am not scared because God has not given me a spirit of fear but of a sound mind. But I am disappointed."
"On my way to class, this guy went out of his way to bump into me and... shove me off the sidewalk," she said. "He said ‘no n*ggers allowed on the sidewalk’."
Despite this racist, horrible act, Natasha said she wasn't angry. "I am not mad, I am not sad, and I am not scared because God has not given me a spirit of fear but of a sound mind. But I am disappointed."
Natasha's friend, Jaileene Maite Garza, then posted the video to her Twitter and tweeted it at Baylor.
It's been retweeted over 4,000 times and liked nearly as many times. But responses on Twitter were varied: some were just as mean as the bullying she'd experienced.
It caused an uproar and social media took to using the tag #IWalkWithNatasha, showing their support.
It caused an uproar and social media took to using the tag #IWalkWithNatasha, showing their support.
Baylor condemned the behavior.
On November 10th, the Baylor University Twitter account stated that the racially offensive language and harrassment "is deeply disturbing and does not in any way reflect Baylor's faith or values. We wholeheartedly condemn the behavior." The school's statement also said they'd been working with Natasha to "ensure she feels safe and supported by the Baylor community."
Natasha had her own statement of love: "To the gentleman who said those words, I’m praying for you and I love you..." She said. No hatred — but change. "We just want to see the world be a better place."
Natasha had her own statement of love: "To the gentleman who said those words, I’m praying for you and I love you..." She said. No hatred — but change. "We just want to see the world be a better place."
On Friday, at 9:55 a.m., Natasha walked out of Tidwell Bible Building to a huge surprise.
#IWalkWithNatasha was more than just a tag; it was a promise.
Hundreds of students were waiting for her. Some had been let out of class by their professors to accompany Natasha on her walk to class. It was a simple gesture to show Natasha and any other student that they've got support, safety, and solidarity.
Natasha was brought to tears, but she addressed the crowd: "I just wanted to thank everyone for being here — I want everyone who sees this to know that Baylor is a campus of love."
Hundreds of students were waiting for her. Some had been let out of class by their professors to accompany Natasha on her walk to class. It was a simple gesture to show Natasha and any other student that they've got support, safety, and solidarity.
Natasha was brought to tears, but she addressed the crowd: "I just wanted to thank everyone for being here — I want everyone who sees this to know that Baylor is a campus of love."
She said that she felt overwhelmed and "super loved."
Other Baylor students and alumni were feeling the love as well.
One posted on Facebook, "Friends, a student on Baylor's campus was assaulted this week while walking to class. It seems the assault was motivated by the color of her skin. This was how our students chose to respond... to peacefully but confidently walk her to class. If anyone chooses to belittle, harm, or speak negatively about a Baylor student because of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc... our students, motivated by love WILL rise up! They did today! Thank you, Baylor students for continuing to be a shining example of Christ in the world! #iwalkwithnatasha"
They're not going to tolerate intolerance on Baylor's campus.
One posted on Facebook, "Friends, a student on Baylor's campus was assaulted this week while walking to class. It seems the assault was motivated by the color of her skin. This was how our students chose to respond... to peacefully but confidently walk her to class. If anyone chooses to belittle, harm, or speak negatively about a Baylor student because of their religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, etc... our students, motivated by love WILL rise up! They did today! Thank you, Baylor students for continuing to be a shining example of Christ in the world! #iwalkwithnatasha"
They're not going to tolerate intolerance on Baylor's campus.
Baylor's Interim President, David Garland, shared a hopeful message with students after taking part in the walk himself.
He said, "The 'Walk with Tasha' this morning was an amazing experience," because he was able to witness as Baylor's "community represented the core values of Baylor University" and stated that, "When we love others like this, we make ourselves so much greater. It means one walk in solidarity is not enough. Walking withour brothers and sisters must become a daily walk on and off this campus."
SHARE this article on Facebook if you agree with him, or COMMENT and let us know how you think this incident should have been handled.
SHARE this article on Facebook if you agree with him, or COMMENT and let us know how you think this incident should have been handled.
0 comments: