June 21, 2023 Standing Against Hate: National, State, and Local Initiatives to
Combat Antisemitism Dear Baruch Community, The Baruch College Office of Diversity, Compliance, and Equity Initiatives (ODCEI) has important
news to share about efforts to address alarming increases in antisemitism nationally and locally. As a community that prides itself on inclusivity and diversity, we are appalled by any and all forms of hatred, bias, and discrimination and are heartened and
energized by calls-to-action to build cross-community solidarity. U.S. Leaders Launch National Initiatives Against Antisemitism The Biden-Harris administration recently announced
“the
First-Ever U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism,” which outlines more than 100 commitments by federal agencies to combat antisemitism. In the opening letter
of the U.S.
National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, President Biden recalls the terrible incident six years ago on and near the University of Virginia campus, when supremacists
marched through Charlottesville wielding torches and chanting, “Jews will not replace us.” Lamentably, university campuses continue to be a setting for antisemitic incidents. The U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism
reflects input from more than 1,000 Jewish community stakeholders, faith and civil rights leaders, state and local officials, among others, and “outlines a whole-of-society effort to
combat antisemitism, including unprecedented, coordinated, and bold actions that will be implemented across government agencies, as well as calls to action for public officials, private sector leaders, and Americans from every sector, industry, and walk of
life.” As part of the
national strategy, the
U.S.
Department of Education (DOE) launched its own national Antisemitism Awareness Campaign. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona affirmed, “No student should have to face discrimination or harassment because of their race,
color, national origin, shared ancestry, such as Jewish ancestry, or ethnic characteristics,” adding that as a civil rights agency the U.S. DOE is “committed to ensuring all students have access to learning environments that are welcoming, inclusive, and free
of discrimination.” In particular, U.S. DOE’s Office for Civil Rights issued a
Dear
Colleague Letter reminding school administrators and educators, including higher education administrators, of their legal obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to “provide all students, including Jewish
students, a school environment free from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics.” State, Local, and CUNY Initiatives That brings us to efforts closer to home. Consistent with
New
York State and the New York City
Commission on Human Rights initiatives dedicated to combating antisemitism, CUNY recently announced its partnership with the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism to promote the
#StandUpToJewishHate
campaign, dedicated to raising awareness about antisemitism. In addition to
educational posts on social media, the campaign invites
members of the CUNY community to wear blue squares or post or share the blue square emoji via social media to demonstrate our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and to foster a sense of belonging for everyone, including Jewish members in our diverse
CUNY community. While the initiative was launched last month, its sentiments endure throughout the year and are embraced by the Baruch community every day. Join Us: Stand Up Against Antisemitism Please join us in celebrating Jewish American heritage and in fighting antisemitism.
We look forward to sharing more information about the Blue Square Campaign with the Baruch community at the beginning of the Fall
2023 term. Sincerely, Baruch College Office of
Diversity, Compliance, and Equity Initiatives
Baruch College Office of Diversity,
Compliance, and Equity Initiatives (ODCEI) BC ODCEI Twitter:
@Baruch_ODCEI |