Stuck between two worlds: UNT student government president faces backlash from hometown community
Michael Luecke and Vice President of SGA Cameron Combs feel it is important to publicly display their support for social movements like Black Live Matter while on campus.
Image: Provided by Michael Luecke
News Release
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Sara Stiles
University of North Texas
Stuck between two worlds: UNT student government president faces backlash from hometown community
(DENTON, Texas – Sep. 17, 2020) His phone buzzes as the notifications start to swarm in. The reactions of Facebook friends fill his screen, one after another, until he forgets why he checked his phone in the first place.
This isn’t the first time Michael Luecke, senior at the University of North Texas, has received this intense of a response to an online post. The 21-year-old from Forney, Texas does not stay quiet about his views regarding social, racial and political issues, often taking to social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to share his thoughts. In recent months, however, Luecke has been increasingly forthright with these views online, and some of his followers have used this as an opportunity to criticize his stances.
“Here we go again,” one user comments on Luecke’s post.
“Sad to see this, such ignorance,” another adds.
“These posts are for attention and are honestly stupid,” another user replies.
Luecke’s post exclaims “Blue Lives Don’t Exist,” referencing the counterargument to the Black Lives Matter movement, “Blue Lives Matter.” The post aims to explain that while police officers choose their occupation, Black individuals do not choose to be Black.
“Something that has always been key to my identity is being able to recognize my privilege and use it in order to advocate and speak out for others,” Luecke says.
In April, Luecke was elected president of UNT’s Student Government Association, adding to a long list of leadership positions he’s held on campus. He has been an influential figure among his student body for some time, though, regarded highly by his peers for constantly speaking out on prevalent topics.
“I have always been a very outspoken person,” Luecke says proudly while scrolling through some comments. “If anything, this experience has just made me want to use my platform more to educate and inform others.”
His classmates and friends value the conversation Luecke generates by sharing his views on controversial topics and current events. With a student population that is substantially socially and politically aware, UNT creates an atmosphere where he is naturally empowered.
“Michael is such a voice for the community,” says Danielle Colvin, SGA’s chief of staff and senior at the university. “He is someone that truly stands up for those that feel that voice isn’t heard.”
While his fellow students show support and admiration toward him, Luecke faces most of his backlash from the community he grew up in.
“Being from a town such as Forney, you see firsthand how people who are not white, straight or cis-gender are treated, and it honestly made me sick to my stomach,” he explains. “By me sharing my personal views and beliefs, I have been unfriended, called ugly names and been treated horribly by people whom I thought would be there for me my whole life.”
The criticism does not stop when he logs off, either. Forney is located in Kaufman County, Texas, a predominantly conservative county just east of Dallas-Fort Worth.
“When I return to Forney this is an issue,” Luecke says. “My dad is a minister in my hometown and has been so for the past 30 years, and people within the church treated my parents horribly because of me being vocal about my beliefs and views.”
His family and friends continue to support Luecke “living his truth” and using his platform to speak up, despite the troubles that may arise in his back home.
“People in his hometown might not like what he says, but that’s because it’s a truth that they haven’t faced and he is fostering that conversation not only at UNT, but community wide,” Colvin adds. “He is someone that will truly make an impact and hold those accountable.”
Luecke is looking forward to the remainder of his time at UNT, focusing on SGA as he completes his degree in political science and legal studies.
“I know that the community of Forney does not like me and my opinions and beliefs,” Luecke says confidently. “But they are going to keep hearing them because that town needs to change.”
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Luecke often focuses on his continued allyship and ways to better the UNT community in his free time.
Image: Provided by Michael Luecke
Appendix
Sources
Michael Luecke, sgapresident@unt.edu
Danielle Colvin, sgacos@unt.edu
“Texas Senate Election Results: Beto O'Rourke vs. Ted Cruz.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 18 Jan. 2019, 10:34 AM, www.nytimes.com/elections/results/texas-senate.
“Michael Luecke.” Facebook, 28 July 2020, www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3172977449414856.
Targeted Media Outlets
North Texas Daily: This would be a great publication to run this story because Michael is a prominent student figure at UNT. Our student population really holds our leaders to a high standard, so I think this topic would be of interest to the Daily’s audience. Many students can also probably relate to his story, relating more to our college community than the hometowns they return to.
Denton Record Chronicle: This local outlet would also be another great publication to run this story because it speaks to Denton character as a community. I think it would also benefit readers outside of the UNT population to see these types of struggles some college students face when forming their own political and social identities outside of their hometowns.
Denton County Democratic Party: This local chapter of the Democratic Party would benefit from running this story on their website or social media pages. This community is empowered by social justice issues and would likely rally behind Luecke and the student community.
Promotional Tweet
“Hometown backlash does not silence University of North Texas SGA president from sharing his views online. Read more here: [link] #BLM #StudentVoices #UNT”
Photo Cutlines
Cutline 1: Michael Luecke and Vice President of SGA Cameron Combs feel it is important to publicly display their support for social movements like Black Live Matter while on campus.
Cutline 2: Luecke often focuses on his continued allyship and ways to better the UNT community in his free time.
