Statement in Support of KU's Jewish Community

Fri, 12/02/22

University Senate

Dear students, staff, and faculty,

We have been deeply concerned about the rise of antisemitic expression, hate, and violence nationwide, in our own state, and in the greater Lawrence community—including but not limited to the dissemination of harmful antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, and even calls to violence. We are monitoring the rise of antisemitism on campus.

The impact of such incidents is especially harmful to our Jewish community members, who may also confront antisemitic statements across social media platforms and in everyday interactions. In addition to our Jewish community members, our university is at risk since as history has shown, when antisemitism rises, intellectual thought and freedom are stifled.

We are obligated as a campus community to model a different set of values by extending support and respect to all Jayhawks and disavowing all forms of hate speech when levied against members of our community on or off campus. There is no place at the University of Kansas for antisemitism or hate speech of any kind against any member of our Jayhawk community.

Through this collective statement, the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, University Governance, the Jewish Studies Program, and the Jewish Faculty & Staff Council urge our campus community to stand against antisemitism and in support of our Jewish Jayhawks. As mandatory reporters, we are all called to report any experienced or witnessed discrimination or harassment. If you witness any acts of hatred or violence, report them immediately. Use your voice and the platforms available to you to show respect and support for all members of our community, inform yourself on identities outside your own, and help others expand their knowledge base as one way to combat prejudice.

By standing up to this form of bigotry, we embody our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging values as an intellectual community. Only by living these values in our daily interactions can a truly inclusive KU be a lived reality for all.

General information on the history of antisemitism, bigotry, and the impact of hate speech on our community can be found in The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s lessons on antisemitism and racism. On campus, you will find learning opportunities about Jewish culture and history through the Jewish Studies Program and extracurricular opportunities through Chabad and Hillel. Our Jewish faculty and staff now have an additional opportunity to dialogue on identity-based issues through the new Jewish Faculty and Staff Council.

Signed,

The Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

University Senate

Jewish Studies Program

Jewish Faculty & Staff Council