On Wednesday, December 23, 2015, a 24 year old Jewish student was assaulted at a Brooklyn College, Medgar Evers. The student was wearing a yarmulke, spat at, and then called a “dirty Jew,” so it’s safe to say this was a clear act of Anti-Semitism.
According to the police report, the suspect bumped into the victim and then began to harass him. The Jewish student proceeded to hit him with his umbrella to distance himself, but the man began punching him in the chest and face. The 24 year old was injured, but is in stable condition and the police are currently looking for the suspect throughout the Greater New York area.
College President Dr. Rudolph Crew issued a statement saying the college has “zero tolerance for this type of behavior and we will do everything in our power to ensure the assailant is found and held fully accountable for these hateful actions.”
Nonetheless, statements such as these by the president are not enough. Every student must feel comfortable on their college campuses. Thus, a major shift in how anti-Semitism is discussed and approached needs to take place. This is not the first time students here have been bombarded with anti-Semitic remarks. Simply responding to such attacks will not stop them from happening.
Rather, a preventative measure that can be instituted to ensure these hate crimes cease to occur is through education and for Jews to have an open sense of pride for their heritage. Perhaps more students and even parents can join in protesting against these attacks. Another way to gain momentum is by make sure the media is covering these stories. People outside the Jewish world need to be aware of what is taking place as well. The time has come for Jewish students to raise their voices and stand up against such violence.
