UW-Madison students gathered to discuss the racial climate on campus Wednesday night at Witte Residence Hall.
The meeting was held in direct response to cases of racially motivated vandalism and harassing phone calls recently made to a housefellow at Witte.
Daniel Steinbring, a UW-Madison junior, spoke out last week via e-mail, fed up with such incidents, intending to shed light on the difficulties faced by students of color each day.
\I finally feel fed up to the point of not just complaining and feeling bad about it but taking action,"" he said.
Frustrated students responded Wednesday, expressing support for Steinbring and all students of color at UW-Madison.
Maggie Oulahan, a UW-Madison sophomore, told the crowd she thinks the campus climate is not conducive to diversity.
""Since I've been here I've become more uncomfortable with race,"" she said.
Tarsha Kimber, a UW-Madison freshman, concurred citing her personal experience.
""Imagine how you would feel if when you walk in the bathroom people turn and look twice,"" she said.
Kimber said other students assume she is at UW-Madison because of affirmative action, sports or a program. She was visibly upset, declaring ""maybe I'm here because I'm smart or because I did better than you on my ACT.""
Many at the forum emphasized the importance of their presence.
""By you guys being here you're already stopping the negativity,"" Prenicia Clifton, a multicultural resident consultant for Witte and Ogg Residence Halls, said.
However, they said students must do more.
""This is visible racism. There is less visible racism everyday on this campus,"" Karen Benjamin, a UW-Madison graduate student and member of Promoting Racial Ethnic Awareness said.
Steinberg said such awareness is key. He said he regrets his own decision to remain silent for so long. Now, he said he hopes that by speaking out he can make a difference by encouraging other students of color to come forward with such problems.
""I regretfully was very quiet about it,"" he said. ""A lot of students of color feel alone here. For a long time I felt so isolated. Hopefully things like this will help them speak up.""
Steinberg is pleased with the University's response to the situation. However, he stressed their positive reaction saying he feels students of color must seek out support proactively.
Despite this, Steinberg looks positively toward his future at UW-Madison and his potential to make a difference.
""Things like this are intended to silence,"" Steinberg said. ""I won't let anybody push me out of here. There are very concrete things that can happen. I have to remain optimistic.\
