By Kayla McKenna, Staff Writer
The annual Love Not Hate Day will return to campus for the tenth time this year.
The event is hosted by religious life and provides an opportunity for the community to come together in support of solidarity and love in the face of turbulent political and social issues.
The event will begin at 5 p.m. April 14 on the quad in front of Tom and Brenda McDaniel University Center.
The event encourages students to embrace everyone for who they are and accept others and their differences.
Love Not Hate Day began in 2005 when Westboro Baptist Church came to campus in protest of the School of Theater’s production of Moises Kaufman’s play, The Laramie Project.
The play was written in response to the 1998 murder of gay student Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyo., which was later labeled a “hate crime.”
“We have a lot of diversity on campus in many different capacities,” said Michael Horn, youth ministry junior. “We want to have open doors, open hearts and open minds for all people.”
The event is open to the Oklahoma City community and is free of charge.
Participants can tie-dye shirts, which will be provided by religious life. The event also will feature free food and an interactive station
“So often people are aware that hate is a big part of society that needs to change,” said Amanda Foley, psychology freshman. “I love the idea that there will be an event to express this idea.”
The theme of this year’s event is “Loving Your Neighbor,’”said Logan Herod, president of Kappa Phi Christian sorority.
“It’s about loving those around you, regardless of race, sexual orientation or other issues that sometimes come between people,” Herod said.
“This year, we’re also planning on promoting a sense of ‘global love,’ of loving not only those in your neighborhood, but loving people around the world.”
Members of Kappa Phi and Delta Alpha Chi, the men’s Christian fraternity, will volunteer at the event, but religious life is looking for more student helpers.
“We are still looking for people to help tie-dye, to hand out T-shirts and just to let people know what the whole event is about,” Herod said.
Students are not required to be in any organization to volunteer.
Students with questions about volunteering can email the Rev. Rodney Newman at rnewman@okcu.edu.
Contributing: Lauren Matheny, Lifestyles Editor
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