Students of the UW-Oshkosh Sociology Club and members of a community organization, Square One, organized a march on March 11 to protest the racist fliers that circulated the UW-Oshkosh campus in early March.
The group marched from Polk Library to Opera House Square holding handwritten signs with messages of unity.
Tashia Norton, the president of the Sociology Club, was the main organizer and spokesperson behind the event.
Norton said they decided to march because they wanted to convey the message of acceptance in the community.
“We want the community to see that there are people out there who want diversity and equality for everyone,” Norton said. “We do not want anyone to feel different just because of their background or race.”
Norton also said they decided to do a march because it is a peaceful, active way to involve the community and take a stand.
“The event was definitely a success,” Norton said. “Students and staff at UW-Oshkosh combined in a progressive march and conversation about acceptance and diversity. At peak attendance, there were about 30 people actively participating. We achieved exactly what we wanted, which was to actively protest inequality on our campus and in our community, and people know that we did this event.”
Also involved in the event was Patrick Hager, vice president of the Sociology Club.
Hager said that the march took about a week to organize. The club members wanted the news of the fliers to still be fresh in everyone’s minds.
“The march was, in turn, meant to display a message to those targeted by the fliers that despite the hurtful actions of one or a few individuals that the campus and community care about diversity and encourage unity in its regard and want to have a community that is comfortable and welcoming to all people,” Hager said.
Hager also said he talked to a few people who thought the march against hate would be the equivalent to “a protest against jealousy.”
Hager said some people thought the march wouldn’t be taken seriously because hate and jealousy are both natural emotions. Hager also said that although these are natural emotions, the message behind the march should not be interpreted so callously.”
Square One was co-founded by Paul Van Auken and his wife. Auken is an Oshkosh professor and the adviser for the Sociology Club.
The “Views and Brews” group, according to Norton, is a group that is part of Square One. They meet weekly to talk about issues within the community.
After the march, the group went to Planet Perk, a local coffee house.
“Everyone was very nice and having a good time,” Holly Hildebrandt, Planet Perk employee said. “Our cafe is set up so it has a big long line of chairs, but they all sat in a circle and were very interactive with each other.”
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