Increase in Religious Based Hate Crimes in Connecticut
Brittany Lacey
Issue date: 3/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
With homework, exams, and papers that need to be written, being at college can sometimes lead to students being unaware of certain anti-Semitic incidents that are occurring in today's society.
Violence, language, and vandalism are three words that make up part of the definition for a hate crime.
According to the Connecticut Post, Connecticut is ranked seventh in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents also known as "hate crimes." The newspaper also said that according to statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Connecticut saw hate crimes against Jews rise 35 percent in the past year.
Many of these crimes are "school-based" incidents. It's likely to see these racial hate crimes arise in both middle schools and high schools across the Connecticut area.
Luckily for Sacred Heart University, our campus has not dealt with these crimes.
Jack Fernandez, director of Public Safety, said "no religious hate crime incidents have been reported to Public Safety."
Polina Markovich, freshman, Trumbull, also said she has not experienced any hate crimes at campus.
"The students are more preoccupied with who is dating who rather than finding out who maybe Jewish, Christian, or Catholic," said Markovich.
Unlike some Catholic universities, SHU accepts the attendance of students from all different religious backgrounds.
Nevertheless, some students still feel uncomfortable at times due to their religious differences.
"Being Jewish in a Catholic School can make me a little uncomfortable sometimes," said Markovich. "When it comes to answering questions about the Catholic religion, it's hard because of the simple fact that I do not know much about Catholicism."
To make non-Catholic students feel comfortable and to show respect for the different religions, SHU recognizes other religious leaders in the community and often brings them to campus.
Lindsey Gibson, freshman, Mechanicville, N.Y., feels that this university does many things to make each and every student feel comfortable here no matter what their religious background is.
"I have been to other Catholic universities and they do not seem to be as inviting as SHU is to other religions," said Gibson. "I believe that our school's respect towards other religions is a major reason why we do not see religious-based hate crimes on campus.
Gibson said "it saddens" her to hear the news of increased anti-Semitic incidents in Connecticut.
Jennifer Crowley, sophomore, Newington, works at the local Bridgeport Jewish Community Center (JCC) even though Crowley is Catholic.
She said religion does not affect her decision on where to work.
According to the Jewish Ledger, a total of 77 anti-Semitic incidents were reported across Connecticut in 2006 with 36 incidents of vandalism and 41 incidents of harassment.
Fernandez believes that diversity training is a way to stop crimes like these from happening.
"People should find other ways to resolve their issues other than bringing down the people around them," said Markovich.
Violence, language, and vandalism are three words that make up part of the definition for a hate crime.
According to the Connecticut Post, Connecticut is ranked seventh in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents also known as "hate crimes." The newspaper also said that according to statistics from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Connecticut saw hate crimes against Jews rise 35 percent in the past year.
Many of these crimes are "school-based" incidents. It's likely to see these racial hate crimes arise in both middle schools and high schools across the Connecticut area.
Luckily for Sacred Heart University, our campus has not dealt with these crimes.
Jack Fernandez, director of Public Safety, said "no religious hate crime incidents have been reported to Public Safety."
Polina Markovich, freshman, Trumbull, also said she has not experienced any hate crimes at campus.
"The students are more preoccupied with who is dating who rather than finding out who maybe Jewish, Christian, or Catholic," said Markovich.
Unlike some Catholic universities, SHU accepts the attendance of students from all different religious backgrounds.
Nevertheless, some students still feel uncomfortable at times due to their religious differences.
"Being Jewish in a Catholic School can make me a little uncomfortable sometimes," said Markovich. "When it comes to answering questions about the Catholic religion, it's hard because of the simple fact that I do not know much about Catholicism."
To make non-Catholic students feel comfortable and to show respect for the different religions, SHU recognizes other religious leaders in the community and often brings them to campus.
Lindsey Gibson, freshman, Mechanicville, N.Y., feels that this university does many things to make each and every student feel comfortable here no matter what their religious background is.
"I have been to other Catholic universities and they do not seem to be as inviting as SHU is to other religions," said Gibson. "I believe that our school's respect towards other religions is a major reason why we do not see religious-based hate crimes on campus.
Gibson said "it saddens" her to hear the news of increased anti-Semitic incidents in Connecticut.
Jennifer Crowley, sophomore, Newington, works at the local Bridgeport Jewish Community Center (JCC) even though Crowley is Catholic.
She said religion does not affect her decision on where to work.
According to the Jewish Ledger, a total of 77 anti-Semitic incidents were reported across Connecticut in 2006 with 36 incidents of vandalism and 41 incidents of harassment.
Fernandez believes that diversity training is a way to stop crimes like these from happening.
"People should find other ways to resolve their issues other than bringing down the people around them," said Markovich.
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