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When I Helped My University Pass a Resolution on Hate Speech Against Disabled People

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This semester I became a representative in my university, the University of Oklahoma’s, student congress.

From the moment I sat through my first session, I was hooked. The talk, the legislation, the rules, it all made sense to me and I couldn’t get enough.

The coolest thing so far was in my last session. We spent four hours in the conference room, I heard passionate debates and speeches, but most importantly we passed resolutions about hate speech. One of these is a resolution against hate speech towards those who have disabilities.

Yes, I have experienced hate speech towards me and I’ve watched my mom struggle with it. It’s painful to have your illness questioned, to be teased about it, to be discriminated against for it.

Watching a committee so passionately stand up and fight for the rights of all of the minorities on my campus reminded me why I got into blogging in the first place.

Awareness.

I wanted to make people aware of what it’s like to be 20 years old and chronically ill at college. What it’s like to be three hours away from all of your family and doctors that you rely on. What it’s like to walk around with a hidden illness and live in a house with 90 other girls.

That moment in congress, I passed an amendment to have our resolution sent to The Mighty, because I wanted to continue to show those who are disabled and chronically ill that their voices are being heard. There is a university that is on their side.

So, for all of you who have had hate speech pointed at you, towards their children, spouses, friends, mothers, fathers, or anyone important in your life, know that there are people fighting for you. You are being heard.

Even if it’s just a student congress in Norman, Oklahoma.

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Photo courtesy of The University of Oklahoma Facebook page

Originally published: April 3, 2017
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