The Colors of Our Campus: Hate Speech Targeting Students of Color at Western Washington University

Discrimination wears many hats, and its victims are not specific. I work closely with discrimination against those with disabilities, but there are many different kinds and forms of discrimination in our cruel world. Today classes at WWU have been cancelled due to discrimination against students of color. As an advocate for acceptance, inclusion, and equality, I do not support these hateful acts. I am an advocate for people... all people. Today has been a devastating and scary day for our university, students, community, and for those students of color. Following is my reaction:

I woke up this morning to a text on my phone. It was an alert from Western Washington University stating, “all classes are cancelled for today, Tuesday Nov. 24. For more information, please see the email message from President Shepard”. I bolted out of bed and ran to my window thinking it was a snow day… why else wouldn’t we have class? When I looked outside there was no snow. I was very confused so I checked my email. The email explained that there had been hate speech over social media that targeted Western students of color. My heart broke. I felt scared, sad, and angry. I have a hard time understanding how someone could be so cruel to people they don’t even know and make overgeneralizations about certain races and demographics. I have friends and classmates of all different capabilities, identities, and ethnicities, and to me this is a gift. To me the world is not black and white, it is a world full of colors that enhance our everyday lives and experiences; this is what students of color and those not of color bring to Western’s campus. We are all important, we all have valuable opinions and ideas, and we all deserve love, respect, acceptance, education, and most of all to feel safe. It is so disheartening that racism still exists but it always has. As a country and as a university we have acted as though we have risen above racism, and this is easy to do when we are not personally affected. 

Today, this morning, I have been affected, and many in this community have been affected. I am not a person of color nor can I understand the discrimination those students face or speak for them, but I do know that I am a student of Western Washington University and any ignorant, violent, hate speech to any student at Western is a threat to me. I stand for Western, which means I stand for my fellow students, colleagues, innovators, friends, and faculty. I do know one thing, I do not condone this behavior and it should not be tolerated. It is never okay, and there is no excuse. Although I am filled with hurt that people do not see the beauty of being able to see in color, as the different hues represent different cultures, experiences, and opinions that have made our university and lives dynamic and enriching, I am hopeful however that we will stand together and rise above this. The most important thing is that we support one another, and stay safe because we all matter. We are students at Western to better our lives and we should not be deprived of that just because of stereotypic generalizations and discrimination. I am hopeful that the person(s) who engaged in this hate speech towards my fellow classmates of color will receive the proper punishment, but more than that I hope they have a change of heart. I don’t think punishment will teach them a lesson, I think enlightenment will. The moment they transition from tolerating diversity to accepting and appreciating it is when we have really won as a university and come closer to eradicating racism. The solution is both the hardest and simplest, to just be nicer, more understanding and accepting, to support one another. Today was an unfortunate wake-up call, and I hope we will all reflect upon our actions, how we treat others, and the things we say because these choices we make everyday could make all the difference.

I stand for Western, 

Brittney Brown 

"Is Sydney really your BEST friend"?

I get asked this question A LOT. Although it hurts my feelings I think it needs to be addressed. Why is it so hard for people to believe/understand that someone with a disability and someone without a disability can be best friends just like everyone else? Sydney has Down sydrome, and I don't. Does it matter? No. Sydney doesn't define herself by her disability, and I don't define her that way either. She isn't my friend because she has a disability but because of who is as a person. All the qualities best friends should have, we have.

1. When I need someone to talk to in times of need she's always there.
2. She makes me laugh, and remember to enjoy life.
3. She supports me in EVERYTHING I do, and makes me feel good about myself.
4. She loves me unconditionally and lets me know that by sending me little messages, pictures, or notes to let me know she's thinking about me.
5. She has invited me to be a part of her family by having me over for family dinners, dance parties, and sleepovers. I have loved getting to know her family.
6. She always checks up on me to make sure I'm okay.
7. We bring out the best in each other, and we both teach each other things.
8. We never judge each other, and love and appreciate all of the qualities we have.
9. We love hanging out together.
10. We consider ourselves best friends and thats all that matters.

If you are still wondering  how this friendship could be possible watch these videos. How in the world could this beautiful girl not be my best friend? I have never felt so loved, appreciated, and accepted in my whole life and she is ALWAYS there for me. She is a true blessing in my life.

If I could receive anything for my birthday...

It would be something to change peoples perspectives on those with disabilities. This is exactly what I got. My best friend Sydney sent me a video of her singing "let it go" from our favorite movie FROZEN. This video not only touched my heart, but I know will touch and inspire many others. This is why I wanted to share my birthday gift to you all. Sydney is a true gift in my life. she has the gift of kindness, a gift of singing, and a gift of being an incredible friend. "Very few people with Down Syndrome will ever be able to sing" says Down Syndrome Education International. Sydney is defying those odds by singing her heart out.. and not to mention showcasing her super sassy self :) I hope Sydney can serve as an inspiration for you because I know she is the type of human I aim to be every single day. Here's my ice queen... HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

And since Sydney and I have been apart for the summer, we have gotten good at communicating through other means such as videos, texting, pictures, and messenger. But I made sure to tell her how happy her video made me and that I would get a special birthday burger for her :)

Sydney also sent me a birthday card....

 

And my mom of course made my birthday AMAZING, by having me wake up to this. And then taking me out for a burger at my favorite place after work. I AM BLESSED.

Together even when we're apart

Today I joined Sydney and the rest of the WWU Special Olympics Unity Club members to watch a women's soccer game together. This was the first time I had been reunited with Sydney after a long while of being busy with school, work, pageants, and club involvement. Sydney and I always call each other soul sisters because we are more than just friends, she truly understands me. At this game I wanted to do two things.... 1st give her a HUGE hug, and 2nd surprise her with a gift. I purchased a ring that said Soul Sister on it and was very excited to give it to her. I am a very busy girl that our friendship can be hard sometimes due to the lack of physical hangouts, but I am always thinking about her and willing to catch up with her. I wanted this ring to remind her that even if we aren't together we are still best friends and that I am always there with her. She loved it and that made me so happy. Here are some photos of the incredible moment....

And the Viking takes the Crown

As most of you know, I haven't made a blog post in a while. Well needless to say, life has been a roller coaster. I competed in 3 pageants within 2 months, and at the last pageant I was crowned your new Miss Tahoma 2015. What an honor! I now have the opportunity to represent my community and my platform at the Miss Washington Pageant July 2nd-3rd. This title allows me to do more with my advocacy for disability awareness and inclusion, and for that I am very excited. Many doors have opened up for me, one of which was being interviewed by my schools newspaper, the Western Front. I was able to talk about my pageant experiences, being a new titleholder, and my most prized possession, my platform. I am honored to be featured in the newspaper, and am so grateful to share this experience with my friend Sydney. Her and her family were kind enough to do follow up interviews and to make this article the best it could be. They are a second family to me and the continuous support they have given me is more than I could ever ask for. If you would like to check out the article, I have included it below and would really appreciate it! Join me on my journey to Miss Washington and in changing the stigma surrounding disability. I preach love, respect, and equality and I encourage you to do the same.

http://www.westernfrontonline.com/2015/05/08/and-the-viking-takes-the-crown/

With love, 

Your new Miss Tahoma 2015, 

Brittney Brown 

SPREAD the word to END the word

March 4th is a very important day; it is the annual day of awareness for ending the use of the 'R' word. The S.I.F.F. (Sharing Interests Forming Friendships): Allies for Inclusion club, now Unify WWU had a booth in Red Square on campus today advocating for ending the 'R' word in our everyday language, educating peers on the impact this hurtful word can have on others, and allowing them to pledge. Sydney says the R-word "hurts her feelings" and it hurts mine too because I love and care about Sydney. Sydney is more than her disability and should not be associated with a word that is so negative, destructive, and hurtful. Words are extremely powerful. They have the power to change how others feel, view themselves, and interact with others. The 'R' word is just like a racial slur, its wrong. Describing a person with this word, or even using it in your vocabulary is not only hurtful, but promotes the negative perceptions of those with disabilities that are so important to discard. I have abandoned this word because I care about love, friendship, respect, human rights, equality, and people and I encourage you to do the same. This small change can make a huge impact on your life and on the lives of others. Let's start uplifting each other and finding the things about each one of us that makes us special and important. SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD. Pledge now at http://www.r-word.org/r-word-pledge.aspx.

You're never TOO OLD for sleepovers..

I spent the night at Syndey's house for the first time since we've been friends! Such a big step in our friendship, and the more time I get to hangout with her, the better. I am so appreciative of her family taking me in, and making me feel so welcomed and at home. We started the night off drawing pictures, then having a dance party, doing each others hair, eating dinner (which was absolutely delicious), more dance parties, then we watched frozen and had late night talks before bed. When we woke up I french braided both of our hair so we could be matching, and we went downstairs for breakfast. Sydney's dad made his special pancakes that were so yummy and as Sydney would say were"made with love". I had such a great time, and look forward to future sleepovers together!

Zombies...and those with disabilities have hearts too!

Today I was able to participate in the 2nd annual Zombie Have Hearts, Too! 5K Run/Walk in support of the Max Higbee Center. My best friend Sydney and I took about an hour and ten minutes to complete the course, and we escaped zombies along the way! Sydney, who was a GOOD zombie, used her special skills to keep me safe and we had such a fun time. It was a beautiful day for a walk at Bloedel Donovan Park, and Sydney and I were able to talk and get to know each other better. I learned so many new things about Sydney, and after this event our friendship grew much stronger. I also was able to meet new friends who are a part of the Max Higbee Center.

For those of you who don't know, the Max Higbee Center is a nonprofit organization that provides recreation programs for teens and adults with developmental disabilities, and they are located in Bellingham, Wa. This organization is amazing, and they provide so many wonderful opportunities for those with and without disabilities through all of their events. They also put on S.P.I.N. (Serving People In Need) dances once a month for the community to get together and have a good time.
I work at the YMCA and participants/members of the Max Higbee Center come in frequently to use the facility. It is so nice to be able to have formed friendships with the regular visitors and am so pleased to see that the Max Higbee Center has made the use of the YMCA a possibility.

If you want to learn more about the Max Higbee Center, or would like to get involved here is the link. I highly encourage you to check it out, and to participate in the run/walk next year!
http://www.maxhigbee.org

With Zombie Love,
Brittney Brown