As we all are aware, the majority of schools in the United States have switched to online instruction. Because students and teachers can no longer meet in person, a lot of professors have taken to holding their class meetings over Zoom – a platform designed specifically for online video communication. With a lot of schools just recently making the switch – and for some schools, spring quarters just beginning – some students have taken it upon themselves to be disgustingly hateful towards several members in their classroom community and disruptive to professors and their lectures. The first incident I saw took place at UCLA – the #1 public university in the country. As the week went on, I continued to see posts from students attending various colleges where “Zoom Bombing” was taking place. I began to see students outraged on social media about the disrespect they had witnessed in their classes, and professors frustrated with the childish and insensitive behaviors of some of their other students. 

Speaking from experience as a student, this transition into online schooling has been somewhat of a hassle because of all the changes we are experiencing. As we are all making adjustments, professors included, I find it extremely disrespectful for students to continue to add stressors to the already present stressors of getting an education. This transition in it of itself has been stressful enough for students dealing with abrupt changes, loss of housing, and the need for social distancing causing time away from friends and even family. The comments made targeted people of color who are already disadvantaged by the education system due to the lack of resources for our communities. Other comments were made to insult people of the LBGT+ community who are also targeted by various systems in place, also including lack of resources for the community. Comments made clearly expressed xenophobia, racism, and homophobia. 

Predominantly white institutions, otherwise known as PWIs, often have a reputation of catering to more of the majority’s needs rather than the minorities that occupy their campuses.  This is why students fight for buildings like Black Resources Centers. There is always an ongoing fight for the underrepresented to have their own spaces on campus. The point is, it’s hard enough feeling like an outcast on a campus you call your home away from home, and having to take that same discrimination and those same troubles off campus with you makes it that much more difficult to deal with. 

I find it interesting that a lot of the students participating in zoom bombing wait until they are untraceable or not face-to-face to say the things they’ve said. Of course, universities have had their issues with discrimination between students, but I can almost guarantee that the students yelling out inappropriate things and racial and homophobic slurs would not say those things to the faces of their classmates or instructors. I think their cowardice illuminates the inherent power and strength of communities on campuses nationwide. If something like this were to happen in an in-person lecture, those students wouldn’t see the end of it as there would be protests throughout schools, people would show up for the offended community, and they wouldn’t stop until justice was served.     

I think people often forget what the support of a community can actually do to stop acts like this. It is possible that these students thought because it was over the Internet and because of social distancing, nothing would or could be done about their actions and they’d get away scot-free. However, the outpour of support and uproar opposing their actions could prove them wrong. The strength of community has overcome many obstacles just like these. Standing together, being there for one another, and speaking out against ignorant acts proves to others that we are not to be messed with. Of course, people will continue to voice their negative opinions loudly and incorrectly, but when we show the strength of our communities, we become a force to be reckoned with. 

Note: If you have experienced or been a victim of zoom bombing, Un-Associated encourages to report the incident or incidents to your school’s authorities. We want you to know we are right there with you. You belong on your campus, and you deserve your space to exist without being attacked. Stay blessed.