The national anthem protest has gone far beyond the NFL and has trickled down to the youth. The #TakeAKnee movement has been powerful in so many ways, but of course, the revolution is always met with resistance. And that resistance is usually hateful.

Buena Vista University (BVU) cheerleader Alyssa Parker learned that the hard way after she kneeled during the national anthem and later quit the team due to a mandate requiring the cheerleaders stand during the song.

After a late-night studying session, she woke up to find a racial slur on her dorm room door.

“I woke up to knocks on our door from a friend that we have, and he was just freaking out because when we opened the door, the N-word was written on our door,” said Parker, via Who TV.

Photo: GIPHY

This incident follows several other racist vandalism occurrences throughout a couple of residence halls, including people finding "illegal" written on a Hispanic student's door and "KKK" with a swastika painted on a white student's door. Ryan Bills was arrested in connection with these cases, but Storm Lake Police don't believe Bills was involved in Parker's case.

However, to Parker and her roommate Emerald Jones, the timing is suspicious and they both believe it is directly related to Parker's protest. “We have a few black women on our floor, and it’s not like it was on all of their doors. It was just on ours,” said Jones.

“I think that someone is just very upset with how loud we’ve been with our protests,” added Parker.

"Let me be clear, I am repulsed by this behavior," said BVU President Joshua Merchant in an official statement to the college. "I am sad and angry that these deplorable acts were carried out by a few individuals. Hate is an open attack on tolerance and acceptance. I am asking you to not tolerate hate, instead speak up…Victims of hate crimes often feel terribly alone and afraid. They have been attacked simply for who they are. Your silence amplifies their isolation; it also condones the act of hate. Victims need a strong message that they are valued. Small acts of kindness can help. I am charging all of you with one small act of kindness before you leave for Christmas break."

The school is offering a $500 reward to anyone who has any information in connection with this incident.

Alyssa Parker

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