letters from Baylor students

"I'm sure you know the impact you and your team has made on Baylor, myself, my fellow students, etc., but I think it's important for you to be reminded. I truly think that you guys are doing something amazing, and you are inspiring many. Thought I'm quite terrified about what's going on with my future, I'm ready for it. I think what you guys are doing is amazing, and it was an honor for me to have the pleasure to get to know you guys.

I love you guys,
Sean" (the student arrested with us)

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"I am writing to say that I am truly sorry and ashamed at the way Baylor University treated your cause. Regardless of whether or not we agree with your cause, we ought to realize that if Jesus were on this Earth He would be embracing the idea of dialogue. I am very proud of the way your group acted non-violently; you are doing very well to stand up for what you believe in and I have nothing but the utmost respect for your group. Please know that not all of us at Baylor retain the frame of mind that the administration indicated. In particular, the students of the Social Work department are outraged. Thank you so much for your efforts and may God bless."

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"Dear Soulforce,

I am a student at Baylor University and i just want to start out by saying how embarrassed i am for how Baylor and Waco treated you. I did not receive the whole story, but from what i understand is that Baylor did not allow you to handout certain materials and say certain things. Also, the stories in jail disgusted me of how inhumane gods creatures could be to one another. I am so sorry for your troubles you had while in Waco. Thank you for coming and trying to open the eyes of stubborn non-compassionate Christians in this community. Be careful on your next adventures across the country."

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"Dear Equality Riders,

I would like to thank you for coming to Baylor as part of the Equality Ride. Baylor as a whole is far too closed-minded on numerous topics, human sexuality being one of the most prominent. For a school that claims to encourage diversity, Baylor has a shocking amount of institutionalized discrimination, especially against other religions and LGBT issues. University policies are so oppressive that students and faculty cannot speak their minds or even be open about themselves for fear of persecution, like former advisory board member Tim Smith, who was fired because of his sexual orientation, or former student Matt Bass, stripped of his scholarship for the same reason. I am also deeply sorry that the Baylor administration is not being more accepting of your presence.

Not a day goes by when I do not question why I came to Baylor. The fact of the matter is that I did not realize just how bigoted Baylor was until I came here, and it just seems to be getting worse. In anticipation for your visit, the administration even sent an email to the entire University basically warning us not to talk to you and pointing out a passage from University policy that states that "it is expected that Baylor students will not participate in advocacy groups which promote understandings of sexuality that are contrary to biblical teaching." I am personally appalled by this passage, and as a vehement supporter of equal rights, quite sickened.

I hope to find and speak with some of your group tomorrow, but if not I at least will have shown my support for your organization through this email.

Ride on and keep up the cause. Do not let the widespread bigotry of this University discourage you."

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"First of all I would like to apologize for the deplorable way Baylor University's "powers that be" and "policy enforcement" treated all of you. Secondly, I would like to thank each and every one of you for all you've done here in Waco. Although your mission was to draw attention to the hatred and violence directed at LGBT individuals by a large portion of the Christian community, I believe you have all succeeded in something far greater. I believe you've given many of us at Baylor University who watch with gritted teeth the intolerance this institution has the courage to stand up for we believe in and many of the LGBT students here who live a closeted life the courage to come out. You have planted the seed of bravery in many here to rise up in peaceful resistance against a terrible wrong. Thank you."

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Dear Soulforce Equality Riders,
I just wanted to say thank you so much for stopping at Baylor. I feel like we've been at a stand-still for gay rights activism here on campus because of the fear the administration has spread to its students. However, since your stop at Baylor, I have felt the energy on campus to organize a gay-straight alliance and I could not thank you more for getting the ball rolling. I have heard so many reactions to your presence, some appreciative and some critical, but overall it has been a positive outcome and will hopefully only get better in the future. I apologize for the negative treatment you received and the unwelcome message our school gave to you. I enjoyed getting to know some of you and will keep you and your courage in my mind daily. You give me hope and inspiration for the future. Please keep in touch with us and keep us in your hearts as we will you.

Mississippi College

Yesterday and today were spent in Clinton, Mississippi. Yesterday, the riders visited Mississippi College, while I stayed at the hotel trying to process through everything that happened to me in Waco. I got very little sleep in jail, so I took some time to rest and come to terms with the entire experience.

Our situation in the Deep South is getting very, very serious. On March 20, Clinton police officials informed us that we would be cited if we “attempt[ed] to gather or travel in a group of four or more” near the campus of Mississippi College. Lt. Thomas R. Ruffin acknowledged that the department’s actions “could be construed as conflicting with constitutional allowances,” but said that our presence in Clinton presented “valid public safety concerns.”

Mississippi College organizer, Stephen Krebs, contacted his father and friends in Washington, D.C. who had significant connections to the ACLU, and the ACLU wrote a detailed letter to the Clinton Police Department citing many instances where cities tried to do the same and were sued. The police department called Stephen and told him, “You play the game well,” and took back their restrictions.

Five Equality Riders were arrested at Mississippi College as they attempted to walk on campus and dialogue with students. One rider, Amy Scott, walked up and shook the hand of a student and tried talking with him as he repeated Bible verses to her. He was still talking when the police cuffed her and took her away.







That very day, the riders had to go to trial, where things got even grimmer. Our lawyer told the riders that things were very serious, and that their fates were in the hands of the judge. The lawyer told them, “I don’t think you understand how serious this is. There is a distinct possibility of you getting jail time up to 6 months.”

The judge reviewed their records and found that three of the riders had previous trespassing charges and gave them 4 days of community service in Clinton. Also, if they are arrested again anywhere in the country in a period of 2 years, a warrant will be issued for their arrest in Mississippi and the three who have previous records will have to serve 20 days in jail and the other two riders will have to serve 10 days in jail. The lawyer said that the judge could tell that arrest was not deterring us, so he made the punishment harder… and he told us not to be surprised if punishments only get worse from here on out.

That’s not all. This latter part is taken from a letter written to the police department of Clinton-

“Last night, while in the town of Clinton, Mississippi, we experienced a distressing form of police intimidation. After a day of dialogue at nearby Mississippi College, we parked our bus in downtown Clinton. We were waiting for the return of some of the members of our tour from area coffee shops. While waiting, a police vehicle approached the bus with its lights flashing, signaling us to move. Our bus driver immediately turned down the nearest road and into a church parking lot to await the Equality Riders. The same officer once again followed us into the parking lot, with his lights on and asked our driver to speak with him. The officer was quite aggressive in demanding that we "go on and get out of town." Our driver explained that we were still waiting on the remainder of our group, but was still forced to move the bus. At that time, we drove and parked the bus in a lot that was previously designated by the city of Clinton. For the third time, a police vehicle approached us with flashing lights. The officer who approached us was extremely indignant and asked us "what is your problem? We have already given you breaks today." Our driver explained that we were in the space the City provided for us. In response, the officer asserted that our driver would be arrested if he were to take us anywhere else and not leave the city of Clinton immediately.”

As you can see, the law is hell-bent on upholding the discrimination and homophobia that pervades the South. The judge had no mercy. The police had no mercy. At this point, we are all considering civil disobedience in a whole new light.

The next time we are arrested, the judge could very well give us serious time. Last night, we all went to bed with heavy hearts and racing minds.

This is getting so real.