By Edwin Smith

University of Mississippi

Responding to reactions to the 2016 presidential election, University of Mississippi officials have scheduled a community conversation for the public to discuss their concerns.

“Confronting Hate: Processing and Challenging Post-Election Bias and Racism” begins at 4 p.m. today in Bryant Hall, Room 209. The event is co-sponsored by the UM Center for Inclusion and Cross Cultural Engagement, the Associated Student Body and the William Winter Institute for Racial Reconciliation.

“Since the presidential election, there has been a rise in reports of racist and bias-related incidents,” said Shawnboda Mead, CICCE director. “Students at college campuses across the country have reported instances of bias, harassment, vandalism and even violence.

“The University of Mississippi is not immune to these acts, as we have also experienced anti-Semitic vandalism in one of our residence halls and acts of incivility on our campus.”

The CICCE hosted a post-election forum, but officials thought it was important to partner with the Winter Institute and ASB to provide an additional space for students to express feelings and concerns about the post-election incidents.

“Regardless of one’s presidential candidate preference, this election cycle and its outcome has created instability and fragility among American citizenry,” said Jennifer Stollman, Winter Institute academic director of racial reconciliation and facilitator for the forum. “Consequently, many individuals have expressed their anxieties through anonymous and credited acts of incivility and identity slurs against ‘minoritized’ people, thus creating palpable fear amongst targeted populations.

“This community discussion encourages understanding these behaviors, sharing their impacts and strategies for challenging and stopping harmful behavior that ultimately undermines American democracy and civil rights on this campus and across the nation.”

For more information or for assistance related to a disability, contact the CICCE at inclusion@olemiss.edu or call 662-915-1689.