Today, as I walked to my class in the Forum Building, I noticed chalk outlines of human bodies varying in size.

At first I wasn't sure what to make of it, but then as I walked a little farther, I saw "Dedicated to the memory of the 3000+ innocent Afghanis who were killed too." I'm not sure how factual that number is, and I suppose it would be difficult to know for sure how many innocent victims may have been killed, yet I think it is worthwhile to consider that there may be unnecessary casualties while we are trying to combat the terrorists and not the country of Afghanistan.

As soon as all of this took place, the Office of the Physical Plant van pulled up and the workers began washing off the chalk outlines and message from the ground. I was very perturbed to see the university act in such a way that would censor a message that might be contrary to how the majority feels. This has not been the first instance where people have used the medium of chalk to express their ideas, and I think that it is ultimately harmless. It will wash away after the next rain, but the indelible marks it could make in students' minds is what must have scared the university the most. Despite idle words that the university promotes diversity, they have demonstrated through action that they will not tolerate differing opinions.