Unfortunately, antisemitism is on the rise and rearing its ugly head at us once more. Sadly, one in four Jews have experienced this at least once in their lives, and since the events of October 7th , when the terrorist organization Hamas brutally attacked almost 7,000 Jews and killed 1,200 Israeli citizens, the increase in antisemitism is one we haven’t experienced since the WWII era.
On October 27th, at Cooper Union University, college students were forced to take refuge inside the campus library from people protesting the Israeli-Palestinian war. As the protest escalated, students barricaded themselves for protection while listening to the chant, “Free Palestine”, fearing for their lives as protestors banged on doors. This is just one example of the fear American Jews are facing on a daily basis.
In recent weeks, many Ivy League schools, such as Harvard and UPenn, along with four K-12 school districts are under investigation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which says that schools and universities must provide a safe and secure environment for their students free from discrimination of any kind. And yet, Anti-Semitic events are on the rise and barely anything is being done about it.
Penn State’s president Liz Magill recently resigned, just days after appearing before Congress. According to reports, Magill did not fully disclose pertinent information when asked whether students who called for the genocide of Jews are violating the school’s code of conduct or should be punished. Magill and Claudine Gay of Harvard University’s only response to the question was, “It depends on the context.”, when, in truth, calling for any genocide of any religion, gender, or race goes against school code of conducts in every way, with or without “context.” In addition to Magill’s resignation, Chairman of the Board, Scott L. Bok also resigned due to “overwhelming” pressure.
As a Jew myself, I’ve dealt with numerous Anti-Semitic attacks towards me, and I have seen it happen with many people I know. To say this is a very serious matter is an understatement. Many Jewish people feel incredibly unsafe in their environments and feel as if they are unprotected by the people around them, including the school systems. Children as young as middle school aged are beginning to experience this outlandish behavior, forcing many parents to consider homeschooling in order to prevent them from being harmed or bullied.
Whether in college, high school, middle school, or even just starting elementary school, students deserve to feel safe in their academic environment, no matter their origin, ethnicity, gender, religion or who they are as a person. School is difficult to navigate as it is, so the last thing anyone needs is to be bullied or harmed for things they cannot control. There is no justification for any discrimination of any sort.
We are the new generation. We are the only ones who can stop the insanity. And we have to do it together. Are you ready?
