"Shane Windmeyer on the Impact of Hate: Social Justice Speaker Series 2011"
On November 2nd Shane Windmeyer spoke to the campus community about our inaction when hearing disparaging remarks about others. He entertained students while facilitating contemplation over the impact of disparaging jokes or slight, demeaning remarks about others. Mr. Windmeyer pointed out that allowing such language creates a culture where bullying and, eventually, hate crimes prosper. Shane is a national leader and advocate for LGBT issues and co-founder and executive director of Campus Pride, the only national organization for student leaders and groups working to create safer college environments for LGBT students. Providing comic relief, Shane picked students from the audience, brought them onstage, dressed them in flamboyant boas, asked the audience to accept these students in spite of their heterosexuality, and quized them on their "gay" pop knowledge. Finally, he asked them to demonstrate their best "Z-snaps!" After this ice breaker, Shane delved into a more serious tone as he challenged students to get involved to create a better community for themselves and their fellow LGBT students through getting involved in campus groups, activities and by challenging language by others that create a climate of hate.
