As a student of color, going to a university that cherishes diversity and strives for a more integrated community was extremely important to me.

This is why I am a student at University of Wisconsin.

The environment feels right for me and I know that I am at a safe place that I am happy to call my temporary home. But recently, this was shattered as a result of the bias and racist incidents on campus.

Luckily, I was not victim to any of these crimes. But, being a minority, I understand the impact these crimes have on others and me. #TheRealUW, has acted as a voice to protest not only racism, but UW as a whole. After seeing the very offensive poster with our school mascot dressed as a KKK member and groups of students standing outside protesting, I decided — being a student of color — to involve myself and see exactly what was going on.

I understood — and still do understand — why they are protesting, but as a result of my conversations with multiple members, I’ve come to realize that I don’t think members of #TheReaUW know exactly why they’re protesting.

I understand the university has not taken the best approach to handle the incidents on campus and that the campus, as a whole, is not as diverse as one would hope, but I know that UW is one of the more progressive universities.

#TheRealUW is trying to promote dialogue about the lack of responsibility that the university is taking in regard to the hate crimes and bias incidents. They want to make “themselves and their issues known,” but they are going about it in a distasteful way, pushing intimidation and fear as tactics to get their cause known.

I am in no way condoning the racist incidents that have occurred during this semester, and I am in complete shock and terror that people go to certain lengths to be racist, but UW is not an institution that systemically oppresses people of color. They are not breeding people to be racists. I am of a minority, and yes, I feel underrepresented, but at the same time, there are more tactful ways to address the issue and take action.

My issues with #TheRealUW are as follows: my first — and most frustrating — being their assumption that everyone who is white is racist. Most of my closest friends are extremely educated and passionate about ethnicity and diversity, making a conscious effort to always be inclusive and respectful toward everyone.

[UPDATED] UWPD arrests student during class over graffiti highlighting racism on campus[UPDATED]: Around noon Thursday, University of Wisconsin Police Department officers removed a student from class to make an arrest in Read…

When an uncomfortable confrontation took place between members of the #TheRealUW and, not only my friends, but my floor mates, the members assumed that everyone on my floor was racist, barging into our den and saying, “we hear we got some racists on 7B.” Making this assumption toward people you don’t even know and people who are not of the same ethnicity is not going to help your cause.

To make such false accusations and strong generalizations about an entire race of people will put yourself against the exact people who are trying to help you. You are fighting for people to not make assumptions about you purely based on your race… so why is it okay for you to do the same?

During the confrontation, someone from 7B asked what he could specifically do to help their cause and the response he got was “stop being racist.” When confronted about this comment, one member of #TheRealUW movement replied that the comment was a defense mechanism for constantly having to answer the question “what can I do?” If you are protesting for a cause you care so much about, you should never be reluctant or annoyed when someone asks what they can do to help.

This uncomfortable confrontation brings me to my next issue with #TheRealUW: the aggression and intimidation that comes with their presence. When an entire group of students invades others’ personal space, with hostility and their Bucky KKK poster, and starts making assumptions, people are bound to be uncomfortable — making a very awkward and unsafe environment for everyone. There is a certain level of respect that needs to accompany any conversation, especially those regarding race because everyone has different opinions. Without this mutual respect and open mindedness, the environment automatically becomes an “us” versus “them” situation. This again is exactly what they’re protesting against; they’re trying to fight for a more inclusive and diverse campus, eliminating the feeling of separation of students.

Making others feel like their opinions are invalid or irrelevant will make people reluctant to support your cause. A conversation has two sides, and it is important to listen and understand both sides of the situation — something I think the members of #TheRealUW fail to do.

My final issue is their lack of appreciation in regard to the efforts UW makes to support racial equality. When I initially asked why they were protesting, I asked if they thought the Multicultural Student Center was a good resource for students of color, and I was met with the response, “The Red Gym is UW’s bullshit excuse to say they care about us.”

Voices of UW: ‘These stories are critical in describing what it really feels like to be a marginalized student on UW’s campus’In light of recent events of hate and bias on the University of Wisconsin campus, students have been using #TheRealUW Read…

I believe that this is, again, an unfair accusation towards the effort that UW is making to allow voices to be heard and spread awareness about racial issues. Another example is at SOAR when students watched The First Wave group perform a very powerful piece about diversity and acceptance. When one of my friends asked the members why they believed UW featured the performance at SOAR — questioning if it is a way to actually bring awareness to the issue or is purely a façade to make the incoming class believe UW values diversity — the response was again vague and didn’t even answer the question.

UW is clearly taking steps into correcting the lack of diversity and awareness on campus. Even Patrick Sims, vice provost and chief diversity officer at UW, released a video, explaining that the university is handling the problem and trying to bring awareness to students. In the video, Sims said, “You don’t know the fights that we’re having behind closed doors. You don’t know the conversations being had on your behalf.” This is a huge statement and further proves that UW is behind this cause. No, change doesn’t happen overnight, but people are fighting to make a change for students of color, and that should not be something that goes unrecognized or unappreciated.

So, to the members of #TheRealUW — I support your cause, and so do many other students. But, it is not okay to parade around the school in a distasteful and close minded way. Do not blame an entire university for breeding racists. Be more accepting of other students, appreciate the efforts that are being made on your behalf, and celebrate the fact that conversation is being started. Don’t make the issue about what the minorities can do against the institution, but about what we, as an entire campus, can do together to make a change.

Madison Bevan is a freshman majoring in philosophy.