Hate Crimes

Despite a semester marked by hate crimes, controversial foreign leaders, and fierce student protests, prospective students said that this semester’s activities have not tainted their image of Columbia as a “dream school.”

Following two high-profile hate crimes, Teachers College found itself in the center of media crosshairs this semester. But long after the camera vans left, concerns about diversity and inclusiveness persist among students, faculty, and administrators.

I sit in classrooms and lecture halls, with my nose in books, my eyes glued to the computer screen for hours. I think the most important lesson I’ve learned, however, did not come from school, but while sitting in the backseat of a taxicab.

Let me first state that it hurts me immensely that the recent acts of hate at Teachers College were directed at two outstanding people in the school community.

“I need you to survive,” rang out Teachers College instructor Patrice Turner, her melodic voice going against sounds of New York traffic. In one hand, she held a candle, while in the other, she held a microphone which students were passing around in a circle.

Four professors debated academic freedom and the line between squeamish discomfort and real threats in light of recent campus controversies at an event Tuesday night.