Only a few short weeks ago, we welcomed the newest generation of Rams to our campuses by chanting our Ram tradition in unison: “WE ARE FORDHAM.” We stood then as a united student body, ready and willing to grow in new and exciting ways. Now, this unity is needed once again.

Earlier this week, one of the newest members of our ‘Ramily’ went back to their dorm, their new home, only to find a message of hate scrawled across their door. This is a far cry from the warm welcome that students have come to expect from us.

Members of our community have been made to feel that they do not truly belong. This we vehemently deny. No one should be made to feel that they do not belong at Fordham because of their skin color, background, ethnicity, sex, gender, etc.

Our friendships, our resilience and our moral strength in trying times are what makes the foundations of this community. In difficult and in good times, we are still Fordham. No one can change that, not even the person who committed this act.

[quote_center]No one should be made to feel that they do not belong at Fordham because of their skin color, background, ethnicity, sex, gender[/quote_center]

To be a Fordham Ram is to be a positive influence on our community and an integral and necessary part of this school. Fordham would not be the same without each and every one of its students working to make this school what it is.

The only person who de- serves to lose this identity is the perpetrator who committed this act. The only person who is NOT Fordham is that perpetrator.

We are Fordham. A community that, in fewer than 24 hours of being alerted of the racist slur, organized dialogues and support groups so that we may move forward, together.

A community, true to the Jesuit tradition, that cares even when confronted with the ugliness of the world, does not shy away from dealing with it head on and with passion and grace.

A community, true to the Jesuit tradition, that cares for the whole person and not only recognizes but celebrates the dignity and uniqueness of each person. And in a community like this, with it’s successes and stumbles, there is only one constant that needs to be remembered.

You Are Fordham. No one can ever take that away. To anyone who felt marginalized by this act, we stand with you. We are Fordham.