"The USC gates, erected in January 2013, both implicitly and explicitly delineate who belongs on campus and who does not." This is true. What is not true, however, is that the gates are a manifestation of racial profiling. There was a shooting on campus just one year ago. Any security that can help prevent something like this is perfectly necessary. 

Our neighbors are allowed on campus for an ample 15 hours a day. It's not as if people are kept out 24/7. And the last time I checked, the gates keep out persons of all races. It is true that our area is predominantly African American, but it is narrow-minded to argue that the gates are anti-minority. 

Whether or not this petition gets any signatures, it exists to show that there is another voice in this argument. A silent majority of USC students greater than the numbers of the other petition appreciates the heightened security on campus. We have the ability to venture into the surrounding community if we'd like, but for now, we are pleased with a secure campus during the late hours.