This past week has been a difficult one for members of the WSU community and it’s not simply because of the slaughter we called a “game” against USC. This week our town was the setting of three separate – though presumably related – alleged hate crimes. Hate crimes are the most frustrating and disappointing offenses committed in the wide spectrum of crimes commonly perpetrated on college campuses. To many it would seem there is no motive or gain for the aggressor, other than a pathetic sense of validation.

The only reward for the violent act like this is a sick, twisted satisfaction I don’t understand. No money or possession is gained, no economic or personal benefit – simply the pleasure of hurting another, a feeling as sad as it is unforgivable.

Very rarely should violence be the solution for any situation. If violence is the answer for your circumstances, I don’t want to know the problem. But the victims of hate crimes did not partake in any action which would justify violence. It’s disturbing to know there are individuals capable of unprovoked aggression toward other groups when targets have done nothing to deserve such treatment.

Though you may not personally identify with the group targeted by the criminals, imagine if you were violated for being Hispanic, female, a Democrat, or Californian, or simply liking the color red. That’s how ridiculous it is to target a nonthreatening demographic.

If members of the GLBTQ community are being violently targeted and the criminals evade prosecution, it won’t be long before people lose the sense of safety and tranquility residents now enjoy. Hate crimes destroy the collective calm of a community and leave everyone wondering, what next?

We have an opportunity to come together as Cougars supporting more than athletics, going green or getting fitter. This gives our community the chance to do something truly meaningful, prevent further hate crimes. Sometimes it’s adversity like this that allows a community the chance it needs to shine. Through this ugliness perhaps we can extract some goodness by coming together and letting everyone know this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

Encourage your friends and peers to use resources available to them as a better alternative to traveling alone. The WSU Police and Cougar Security Program were created and funded for our safety. In times such as these, accepting assistance from these programs may be a wise decision.

In addition, you and I are key surveillance cogs for law enforcement groups on campus. By reporting any suspicious or violent activity, you won’t be labeled a snitch. Instead, you may actually help save a life from being disastrously scarred. It takes courage, but your small inconvenience may be the difference in creating a safe campus for everyone involved.

We have come a long way as a society. It wasn’t long ago when women and minorities were treated like second-class citizens. We have greatly increased our acceptance of individuals of various backgrounds, ethnicities and sexual orientation. This is somewhat evident by the fact that we’re on the verge of electing either a black president or a female vice-president.

The last hurdle we have yet to fully cross is the acceptance of members in our community who identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. Regardless of your ethical or moral values, we must appreciate and accept every individual for who they are.

At the core, we are all the same. We are all people entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So let us practice what we preach and follow the Golden Rule by treating others the way we want to be treated.