The phrase “not in my backyard” often carries a negative connotation and implies residents’ opposition to the insertion of something or someone into their neighborhood.

On Monday night, Slippery Rock University students, faculty and staff members repurposed that phrase for good use — to speak out against the defacing last week of a Black History Month poster.

The school’s “Campus Race and Diversity Discussion,” held in the Robert M. Smith Student Center in reaction to the incident, focused not only on the incident itself but also on racial tensions that exist on campus and in society.

Students who attended said that although the school “seems welcome,” they sometimes experience feelings of “separation,” while William Behre, SRU president, added his opinion that the campus is “not diverse enough.”

William Rouse, who is the only African-American resident assistant in his building, said he was upset that the person who defaced the poster felt that way about African Americans.

We’re also upset about it and are glad that SRU is having this conversation. We agree with senior Donte Davenport that students “shouldn’t have to worry about that in school.”

Prior to this week’s discussion, Behre rightfully noted that the school community should address ignorance by engaging in “difficult and uncomfortable” conversation. He said that the best way for students to support their classmates is to try to understand perspectives and experiences different from their own. We also agree with Rouse’s advice to students: “Don’t retaliate, don’t go down to their level.” Unfortunately, another student — sophomore Michael Hooks — was also likely correct that the “right people” aren’t participating in events like Monday’s discussion. “The racist people aren’t going to be here,” he said.

You can’t educate people behaving ignorantly if they refuse to take part in the discussion. But you can let them know that hateful behavior will not be tolerated. The SRU community should continue to show strength in numbers and condemn such behavior. Leah Daughtry — a political operative, author and part-time minister — made an astute comment a few years ago to white politicians: “Do not go to black churches today and tell us how much you hate racism. Go to white churches and tell them.”

This applies to the situation at SRU. It’s easy to preach to the choir and tell people who agree with you that you won’t stand for bigotry. While it’s important to show solidarity in the face of such acts, it’s equally important to tell those who don’t agree with you how you feel.

To the SRU community, continue to speak out against incidents such as this one. In unison, your voices are stronger than you might think. To the coward who anonymously defaced the Black History Month poster at the school, such displays of hatred are not welcome in this community’s backyard, or front yard.