Hate Has No Home Here

Students take a stand...and a walk

"God's heart passion is to heal our country. To heal our world," said Michael Polite, associate chaplain, during a prayer on the prayer walk. "As your children, we can declare that it is written in your word that love never fails. The gospel of your son coming and dying has the power to heal. To heal our land, as you have promised, and heal our hearts, as you have promised." (Photo by Stephen Payne)

The tragic events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 12, 2017, shocked Nitasha Duran, senior social work major at Andrews University. The overt racism and need for more of God’s love burdened her mind. Even though she lived in Berrien Springs, Michigan, as a young adult, she felt compelled to do something to confront the issue of racism and hate.

“It was really heavy on my heart,” Duran recounted. “I wondered, how do I get people to talk about this?”

She did not want dialogue alone; she wanted life-changing action. Duran teamed up with close friends and they set out to ensure that God’s spirit would unite Andrews students during the new school year. She also aimed to reach out to residents who needed help in neighboring communities.

Her desires gave birth to the idea for a prayer walk around the campus. The day before school resumed for fall semester, Duran, along with dozens of students, faculty, staff, pastors and chaplains gathered for the “Hate Has No Home Here” prayer walk.

Individuals gathered at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary on the campus of Andrews University to launch the walk and purchase T-shirts to help contribute to a fund for those in need in Benton Harbor, a nearby urban area. Beginning at the entrance of the campus, the prayer group of more than 50 individuals walked to major spots on campus and prayed for healing and confession of sins, and praised God for his continued blessings. In between prayer sessions, participants sang hymns and carried signs with messages promoting love over hate.

Almost a dozen people who were present on campus for other reasons suddenly joined in the march when they saw what the group was up to. Dual-degree student Deslynne Roberts recalled the walk being a moment that was deeply spiritual for her.

“It allowed me to reflect on the need for prayer in these times when there is a lot of hate and divide,” she says.

Valerie Sigamani described the walk as a “reverent, spiritual occasion.” She took part because she wanted to help send the message that hate had no place on the University campus.

This event comes months after a video emerged where a group of Andrews students challenged the administration to do more in order to serve the diverse student population. U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges ranked the institution second for ethnic diversity for the last two years. Michael Nixon, vice president for diversity & inclusion at Andrews, described the event as joyful and shared that although other methods can be used to combat the issue, prayer is an effective weapon against racism.

“These are not political issues,” Nixon said, “And prayer is a powerful tool that we can use.” He took the time to point out that religious leaders were the ones at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. In light of this, he calls on church members to show love in the face of hate. He stressed, “Leaders should continue to be vocal, be active and engage.”

Nixon’s appeal to each person is to be introspective and consider their own attitudes first.

“Look to see if there is any potential bias,” he encouraged. “See the value of those around you and treat everyone with dignity.” Nixon felt confident that if students, staff and faculty members could commit to treating each person with respect, the campus would be a safe place for every individual, irrespective of their background.

Michael Sheppard, a student at the Seminary, expressed how disheartening it is to still have to deal with racism in today’s society.

“Our school can combat this by showing unity,” he said. “We’re so diverse here at Andrews University, and we can embrace one another in Christian love and fellowship.”

The outcome of the prayer walk pleased organizers. Duran attests that the event had a much bigger impact on her than expected.

“Even though this was for the campus, this was also for me personally,” she says. “God was doing heart-changing in me.” Having close ties with those affected by discrimination, Duran says, “I believe that this was needed because there are people like me struggling with views of different races.”

Duran’s desire is to help create a safe place for her family, especially her infant son and husband, and for all those who have experienced the bitterness of discrimination and racism. “Even though I have a passion for social justice and I have a passion to speak up for people who can’t speak up for themselves, I have a son now who is putting this passion on fire and it intensifies because of him. He’s why I do it and why I’ll continue to do it.”

Putting together the event did not come without fears, however. Duran admits that she was afraid no one would show up, and that others might see her efforts as a failure.

Despite her anxieties, though, she pushed through. Facebook invites were sent out and friends shared the event with others. Duran contacted as many people as possible, including professors, pastors and chaplains on campus to solicit their help. As a result of the event, Duran raised approximately $400 which was donated to the Harbor of Hope Church in Benton Harbor to help local children.

To other young people who feel compelled to do something to help others facing issues like racism, Duran says, “Don’t let the fear of failure stop you. If God is leading, He will provide.”