The Times-Delphic stands alongside those who were impacted by the insensitive incident that occurred on Sunday. The editorial staff decided that it is important we speak up.

This is not a political statement.

This is a humanitarian statement.

The messages plastered on a dorm room door on Sunday night are a blatant statement of racism and sexism that still exist on our campus.

Plenty of students condemned the acts. Plenty of students are not racist and sexist. But the problem still persists, and it will continue to persist even if a majority of Drake students share a Facebook post.

Many of us pride ourselves on being an inclusive and accepting campus, but these racist actions are evidence that we are not 100 percent there yet.

We still need to change.

Let’s prove to prospective students, especially prospective students of color, that Drake is a place to feel welcome. But more importantly, let’s prove to those who are already on campus that we are welcoming and inclusive.

Drake students need to do better. DO better. Not be better, but act better.

We cannot forget about the racist events that occurred on Sunday. Don’t share a Facebook post and then forget about it.

Do something about it and keep trying to do something about it. We can’t wait for a similar act to occur to start generating change. We have to start now.

Start by listening to and learning from the experiences of those whose backgrounds are different from your own.

When another student has a position you don’t fully understand, hear them out. Give them the time of day, especially if you might be inclined to disagree with them.

It is not your experience; it is that student’s experience. Give validation to feelings that you cannot or do not grasp.

Craft a dialogue that will lead to a path of understanding. Do not be quick to write off, but really sit and listen.

Believe what they are 0feeling, because it is real and it is happening here on our campus in many ways that others cannot see.

Our campus is hurting right now. Our students are hurting right now. Our friends are hurting right now.

Do not add to the hurt. Listen to the hurt. Comfort the hurt. Believe their hurt is real because it is.

Do not sit aside and just share a Facebook post. Students of color need support. If you’re going to share something about it on social media, follow through with action.

Advocate for more students, staff and faculty of color, regardless of your own complexion. Nothing  makes someone feel more welcome than feeling like they fit in.

More importantly, help those who are already here. We can’t make strides to becoming a more diverse campus if we do not do anything to keep the relatively small number already at Drake.

Our campus community rallied around the students whose door was attacked by hateful words. But our campus community needs to continue to continuously rally around students of color who are targeted.

The support that is necessary does not end today because the election is over and the Facebook post has been replaced by viral puppies.

Many students do not feel welcome daily, the actions of others just aren’t always as blatant.

Pay attention, even when nothing appears wrong. Pay attention to your words and your actions. They make a difference.

This is the first staff editorial  that The Times-Delphic has published since 2012.