How would you feel if you weren't allowed to go to the Wal-Mart after a certain hour? How would you feel if the delicious mac and cheese was calling your name, yet you were still standing on the other side of the window? What about Buffalo Wild Wings? What if you weren't allowed to gorge upon the scrumptious wings and delectable burgers and watch your favorite football team tackle their way to another victory? Now how would you feel if you weren't allowed to any of this because you're a Longwood student?
Now, I know that I would be highly upset if I was not allowed to venture to Wal-Mart to buy my sweet scented body wash. I also know I would be extremely unhappy if I was not allowed to dine at El Patron and bat my eyelashes at the very attractive servers. Now what would really grind my gears would be the fact that I would not be allowed to do these things due to a particular institution I associate with.
Here at Longwood, we have an extremely big issue that almost every student is guilty of. We are Grade A racial profilers. I say this because every student here has heard the term "townie." It is degrading and unjust for us to label a certain group of people in this manner. Of course, every college campus has a nickname for people who are residents of the location their institution resides in, for which "townie" has become a popular term. The thing is we use that term as a terrible label for a certain race.
It has become popular for Longwood students to stereotype a black person as a "townie." It has also become popular for Longwood students to attempt to disassociate and leave the Farmville residents out of events. That is incredibly rude and disrespectful. How would you feel if people judged you in such a way because of the color of your skin or your demeanor? Many students here at Longwood are, in fact, residents of the Farmville community, and from their confessions and claims, they're incredibly offended. These people pay taxes and allow us to attend their events and even shop in their stores, yet we can't be so kind to let them just look around our campus and enjoy a good time?
Just a while back, a resident of a building approached me and mentioned there were "townies" on another floor. First, I told this resident that the term should not be used in such an ill manner. I went to go check the situation, and lo and behold it was three black males who seemed a little out of place. I asked to see their IDs so I could check if they were signed in and were allowed to be in the building. Next thing I knew, they all pull out IDs from an institution that was three hours away and I discovered they were all signed in and just visiting a friend. I apologized to the men because I felt sick to my stomach that I had to be the one to offend them because of somebody else's comment.
We call ourselves "Citizen Leaders," yet we can't reach out and include the citizens themselves? What kind of logic is that? I certainly do not understand. Citizen leaders are not supposed to be racial profilers. We're meant to be the ones who embrace the surrounding area and its people and assist them and make a statement. They were here before us, we are here in their territory, Longwood may be our home, but Farmville is theirs. We're here for about four years and sometimes a few more, but most of them have been here since they were born.
Let us stop using this terrible term and using such words in a negative connotation. We are a proud body of students, and we should stay that way. We should not become pompous and disregard those who are assisting us in being here. Let us turn over a new leaf and take the initiative to become a fabulous group of citizen leaders
"Be curious... Not Judgmental" -Walt Whitman
