KU students to remember victims with 'field of flags' during Hate Out Week

LAWRENCE -- To address intolerance and hate, University of Kansas students will remember victims of hate crimes with a "Field of Flags" during Hate Out Week, Nov. 10 to 14, on campus. Students will be encouraged to mark flags with the names of victims who have been lost to hate.

Santos Nunez, KU Multicultural Resource Center program director, said the field of flags originated with students at other institutions such as Clemson University and has been successfully replicated on other campuses to engage students in a shared experience of confronting issues of awareness oppression and discrimination.

"There is a tremendous need to address issues of intolerance and hate with our young people in order to create a world where every person is accepted and valued," Nunez said.

Before noon Thursday, Nov. 13, students will be encouraged to take a flag and mark it with the name of a victim of a hate crime. This activity will serve as a shared experience and will encourage people to take personal action to confront oppressive behavior that could lead to hate crimes.

At noon, there will be a special ceremony to observe a moment of silence to remember those who have been lost to hate. After the event is over, participants will be encouraged to take a flag home to serve as a reminder to take action and to be a catalyst for change.

The Hate Out Week begins with promotional tables on campus today. There will be a panel discussion on "How to Keep HATE-OUT of KU" at 7 p.m., Nov. 11, in the Hawk's Nest of the Kansas Union. The week culminates with the fourth annual"Colors of KU" retreat, Friday through Sunday, Nov. 14 to 16 at the Tall Oaks Conference Center in Linwood. The retreat will consist of KU students led by KU faculty/staff in a series of multicultural awareness and community building activities.

Hate Out Week sponsors at KU include Multicultural Resource Center, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Diversity Peer Education Team, and Stage Too! Theatre.

Hate Out Week is a series of events that include:

Nov. 10
 • Promotion Day 11a.m. Ð 1 p.m. Tables on Wescoe Beach and Kansas Union

Nov. 11
 • How to Keep HATE-OUT of KU
Panel discussion
7 p.m. Hawk's Nest, Kansas Union

Nov. 12
 • The Field of Flags
11 a.m. Ð 1 p.m. Stauffer Flint lawn

Nov. 13
 • The Field of Flags Ceremony
12:15 p.m. Stauffer Flint lawn

Nov. 14-16
Colors of KU Retreat, Off campus

Nov. 14-23
 • Cabaret
Stage Too! Theatre/Murphy Hall
7:30 p.m. Nov. 14, 19, 21, 30
5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Nov. 15, 22
2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 23