‘Hate wall’ hopes to raise awareness of hate crimes
Students in colleges across the country are continually becoming victims of hate crimes, even in Fargo.
To help students deal with the emotions that hate can cause, The Ten Percent Society and Safe Zone are sponsoring a “Hate Wall” in the Union across from the Coffee Shop.
The Hate Wall will be a safe place for students to write stories about their experiences with hate.
“ The idea is to show students who ignore the fact that there is hate that it does exist in our society. We hope to give students a chance to release their feelings,” Kris Ensign, a senior majoring in athletic training and member of the Ten Percent Society, said.
The wall will be up all week. Markers will be available for students to write on the wall any time the Union is open.
“ We want to get the message out that hate hurts,” Ensign said.
Minnesota State University-Mankato had a Hate Wall and it was a life changing experience for their students so The Ten Percent Society decided to bring the idea to NDSU, Ensign said.
This is the first year the Ten Percent Society and Safe Zone are sponsoring the wall, but depending on how students react to the idea, it may become an annual event.
At the end of the week, the wall will become a “Love Wall” where students can write their stories about the loving experiences they’ve had in their lives.
“ I think it will be good for people to realize there is hate out there. A lot of people are oblivious that it happens on a daily basis,” Justin Kutzer, a senior majoring in business administration and member of the Ten Percent Society, said.