Dear Students,
I am writing to share news of recent antisemitic and racist acts committed by members of our own community and to begin a conversation about what this means for our future.
What happened
In the first weeks of this academic year, there have been three incidents in which individuals have violated our community’s values and caused harm.
On two separate occasions and in two different locations, an individual or groups of individuals removed a Mezuzah from a residence hall room. The Mezuzah is a personal object of religious significance to Jews. The purpose of the Mezuzah is to act as a constant reminder of God’s presence. These are acts of antisemitism.
In another incident, posters in support of the Black Lives Matter movement were willfully removed. The issues and conversations that the movement has raised are critically important as our nation strives to address racial inequities and injustices. The removal of these posters was a racist act.
I want to be very clear: any act of religious, racial, ethnic, or identity-based discrimination at Tufts will not be tolerated. Touching, removing, or defacing other people’s personal belongings or expressions of religion, ethnicity, or identity without permission is deeply disrespectful and an act of vandalism, and it must stop. These incidents took place in Lewis and Harleston halls, but we do not yet know who committed them. Investigations are ongoing to find those responsible and hold them accountable.
What you can do
It is profoundly disappointing and heartbreaking that, as we begin a new academic year and reunite as a community, we face hurt and division. These incidents happened at the heart and home of our campus, in our residential halls, and carry a message of 'you do not belong here.’ Even if we view these incidents through the most generous of lenses––that these were ignorant, thoughtless actions––they caused harm and they go against our shared values of respect and inclusivity. Worse yet is the real possibility that these were intentional acts of hate targeting members of our community for their identities or beliefs. No matter how we choose to understand these actions, let me state unequivocally: hate has no home on our campus.
These incidents stand in opposition to our values as an institution. Our Tufts community is one of fairness and justice; acceptance and open mindedness; compassion and dignity. We value equity and inclusion. We respect each other’s choices, identities, cultures, and opinions. At Tufts, our diversity unites rather divides us.
All of us have a shared responsibility for protecting and upholding the values that shape the Tufts community. If we are to live up to our goal of becoming an antiracist institution, it will only be achieved through everyone's efforts. Education and awareness will only go so far. We need to hold ourselves and one another accountable and unite whenever any community member faces discrimination or hate, regardless of whether we share the same beliefs or identities.
This is a crucial moment for each of us to ask ourselves, how do we create the building blocks that will shape the community we want to establish and sustain here? How will we align our values and actions? What are our obligations to ourselves and each other? How do we have the difficult but necessary conversations about the harm that acts of intolerance cause to our community? And how do we come together as individuals and as a community to accept responsibility and repair these harms?
On Sunday afternoon, the Chaplaincy will lead a session and hold space at Lewis Hall from 4-5 p.m. (first floor common room) for residents of Lewis and Harleston halls, and anyone who wishes to gather and engage in reflection and dialogue in response to these questions. And in the weeks ahead, we will create opportunities for all of us to engage with one another in the important endeavor of building community.
If you or someone you know needs more immediate support, please reach out to either the Counselor-on-Call or the Dean-on-Call 24/7 at 617-627-3360.
With a heavy heart yet hope for a brighter future,
Camille Lizarríbar, JD, PhD
Dean of Student Affairs and Chief Student Affairs Officer for AS&E
