As an April Fools’ joke, the Colorado College publication, The Catalyst, ran an article called “Nickalodeon launches controversial new sister channel, Niggalodeon.” The article parodied established shows on the network, such as “Blackrats” instead of “Rugrats,” and “Nigs at Night” instead of “Nick at Night.”

Predictably, the ethnic minority population on the campus was outraged and the Black Student Union campaigned for support from other campuses to raise awareness about the situation. On Tuesday, April 9, Audrey Thompson, editor, and John Traub, managing editor, resigned from their positions and Colorado College President Kathryn Mohrman issued a formal apology.

The Black Student Union demanded that their list of seven initiates be met, among them, that diversity training be mandatory for The Catalyst staff and university faculty and staff.

Because we do not know the composition of The Catalyst staff ethnically, I cannot understand why they would have approved such an article in the first place. As managing editor of the Clarion, I am certain that this particular article would have never been printed.

The Clarion has a diversified staff, whose members are not afraid to speak up about sensitivity in the newspaper. However, incidents have happened to many publications across the nation, including the Clarion.

A decade or so ago, the Student Media Board withdrew funds from the Clarion and suspended production after insensitive jokes about women were printed in the “Personals” section.

As an active advocate of diversity in any aspect, it angers me that such racism still occurs every day without a thought to the consequences of the actions.

And as an ethnic minority student, I understand that this is a problem that will not be resolved overnight or within the next five or 10 years.

In fact, an undercurrent of racism does exist on this campus; I have experienced it myself.

There are moments in class when the professors and peers will treat ethnic minority students like they are a novelty item or a representative of a particular ethnic group that they may have not affiliate with.

Racism still occurs today. It can happen to anyone on any campus, not just Colorado College, and not just the minority students.

I do not think that it would be such a bad idea to make diversity sensitivity training mandatory for DU faculty, students and staff.

To help combat racism on our campus, you might want to start by visiting the Office of Multicultural Affairs at 1981 S. University Blvd.