On September 21, 2014, mass panic, confusion and fear consumed our student body. The initial threat made to The University of Alabama from Authur Pendragon sparked a wave of unrelenting rumors spread by social media, inducing greater unease and discomfort among students.
Over the next few days, the campus was unlike it had ever been in my four years. We were initially suspicious that each person we passed was Pendragon himself, the campus was a little quieter and no one wore any distinguishing clothing. However, I felt a strong connection with everyone I came in contact with, for I knew he or she was probably feeling the same way I was. For the first time, prompted by the shared experience of Pendragon’s threat, I felt as if we all forgot our differences and found solace in one another.
I wasn’t here when the tornado struck on April 27, 2011. I imagine the disaster created an unbelievable sense of unity though. In the face of an unsettling threat, we experienced a bond with one another. The differences that typically divided our campus seemingly disappeared. Instead of defining each other by our differences, we held closely what we all have in common: We are all students at The University of Alabama.
My hope for our student body is that we don’t remain divided until a tragedy or disaster occurs. Instead, look at the students you pass on the Quad as students just like you. I am certainly not saying that differing ideas, personalities, beliefs or customs are bad or unwanted. In fact, I believe our differences drive our campus to be better. Differences should be cherished and respected because they’re what distinguish us.
In the face of many differences, we cannot lose sight of what we all share. We are all students at The University of Alabama. Even if we have nothing in common with someone else, we share a desire for our campus to be the best it can be. Don’t let differences prevent you from knowing someone else. Don’t let your disagreement with another’s opinion stop you from understanding their reasoning. As we are typically only presented with what makes us different, it is imperative we never lose sight of what we do share. We all share this campus as our own. Remembering that will transform our ability to develop relationships with others we might not have otherwise.
To all of you who still have more time here at the University, don’t forget that we share a bond as students despite our differences. Fundamentally respect one another as your fellow student and develop relationships with those different from you. By embracing the differences we have but remembering what we all share, we will be able to accomplish much more than we could otherwise.
Mary Wills is a senior majoring in public policy and health care management. She was SGA Chief of Staff.
