by Kim D.

Claremont remains a divided campus but how divided is it? https://t.co/VJifKdZ8lK
— Daniel Tedford (@dgtedford) November 16, 2015

In a time when most Americans are wondering what the hell is going on with recent protests at college campuses, a voice of reason emerges from the Claremont McKenna College student body, penned by Nathaniel Tsai. It is a long read but well worth it.

Dear Media: Below is a letter sent by the Claremont McKenna College student body in response to the events of the past week. This viewpoint is that of those who wish to express concern and criticism of many of the actions that took place. Please share our side of the story. Thank you very much for your time and support. Fellow Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and CMC Community.

Undoubtedly, the events of the past week have resulted in much pain, anger, and sadness. It is now more important than ever for us to remain a community and family. However, before we begin the reconciliation process, it is our obligation as students, and citizens of this college, to speak our minds free of any fear of retaliation. With the utmost amount of respect for the movement, we ask that you hear us out so that we may begin to resolve the issues that have consumed our campus and the nation.

To preface our opinions we would like to state that discrimination is not an aspect of society that we will ever endorse. No matter what form of prejudice exists, we acknowledge that such behavior is harmful to both the victims of it and those around them. We reiterate that such acts of bias and intolerance will be met with the same amount of tenacity that compels you to your activism, and we shall channel that strength to more effective and productive means of resolution. We acknowledge that marginalization is a problem throughout the entire nation, and regardless of the color of our skin we promise to continue to change the status quo until people of all backgrounds and dispositions can live together without any fear of racial intolerance.

That being said, we do not condone many of the actions of the movement thispast week. We have tried our very best to listen, and stand with you. In spite of thepatience we have shown, we can no longer be silent. Members of the CMC communitywill always stand by one another, and we have done so, but it is now time to share howwe feel. Keep in mind that we are not your opposition, we do not fight against what youare trying to accomplish, nor do we seek to discredit you. Rather, we are another voice,different as it may be from yours. We cannot be silent any longer for this is now an issuethat has an impact on all of us. It is of utmost importance that we begin to openly sharewith each other how we feel so that all voices have the opportunity to be heard.

To read the complete letter, including a thorough shredding of protester grievances, click HERE.