Hillel, DuBois threats evoke similar feelings

and Lisa Levenson The recent rash of anti-Semitic incidents in the Quadrangle and at the Penn Hillel Foundation bears a striking similarity to the racially-motivated events which occurred at W.E.B. DuBois College House last October. On the University's campus, where the issues of student self-segregation, free speech and civility continue to arouse strong feelings, it seems that students from different racial and religious groups are only finding common ground in incidents which demonstrate hatred and intolerance. But, according to visiting Sociology Professor Paul Root Wolpe, a University alumnus, the existence of racial tensions on campus does not indicate pervasive racism. "There is an enormous focus on identities which divide us, rather than commonalities which unite us," he said. "You're always going to have people who exploit that climate to express their own biases." Last fall, these tensions erupted when anonymous harassing phone calls and bomb threats were placed to African American DuBois residents. At the time, recipients of the calls said they were outraged by these invasive, "intolerable" acts. They urged the entire student body, regardless of race, to stand together in opposition to the incidents. This past Tuesday night and Wednesday, the Penn Hillel Foundation received at least 10 harassing phone calls, including two calls threatening the detonation of a bomb in the building Wednesday afternoon. And during the six weeks prior to the threats against Hillel, five anti-Semitic incidents occurred in Community House, a section of the Quadrangle. Nursing freshman Bonnie Sherman, and her roommate, College freshman Jennifer Burke, discovered three swastikas and two signs reading, "The Jewish God Eats Human Shit," taped to a fire door on the first floor of Cleemann. The reaction of students and administrators to the recent anti-Semitic signs and phone calls resembled responses to the DuBois incidents. Jewish and non-Jewish members of the campus community were urged to support those affected by the incidents. According to Lubavitch House Director Rabbi Ephraim Levin, the Lubavitch House has also received three harassing phone calls during the last several days. The latest one was in German and came yesterday at approximately 5 p.m. The text of the call was translated by a University Police officer. "It basically said, 'Kill the Jews,'" said Levin, who was hesitant to comment further due to fear that "the person who's [behind the calls] will want exposure." As the frequency and seriousness of the anti-Semitic threats have increased, Community House residents say they are feeling more uncomfortable and frightened, even when in their own rooms. "It makes students more insecure because they have no idea who these acts are coming from," Sherman said. Students who live in DuBois said they understand the emotions Community House residents are currently experiencing. "You want to feel secure where you live, especially in DuBois House where you are trying to get away from a lot of things," said Wharton sophomore Jamal Powell. "Home is where your friends are, so you want to feel comfortable there." Black Student League President Robyn Kent, a College junior, said the appearance of swastikas in the Quad does not surprise her. "What's happened is disheartening and tragic," she said. "It's as if nothing was learned from October." "I see the two incidents as being related," she added. "It just goes to show that Penn isn't immune to what goes on in the larger society." Interim Director of Victim Support Barbara Cassel said the University community should respond to the incidents in a unified manner. "It's not just Jewish students and it's not just African American students," she said. "It should be all students who show concern and distress, offer support, and discuss how these incidents really hurt everyone." Rabbi Howard Alpert, executive director of Penn Hillel, said the harassment is not affecting the daily lives of Jewish students on campus. "Whatever the intent is, the Jewish life on campus just goes on," he said. Kent agreed. "We're just going to have to deal with it," she said. Wolpe said the recent incidents highlight the complexities of a multicultural campus, which are central to a course he has taught called "Deviance and Social Control." "Hate-mongering is an ancient way of protesting," Wolpe said. "Racism is expressing anger in a very maladaptive way." Wolpe dismissed the idea that racial sensitivity classes deter harassing behavior. "Racial tolerance grows through daily interaction and honest dialogue," he said. Acting Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum also advocates discussion of the "horrible" episodes, but admits this dialogue has a paradoxical effect. "It both builds and breaks the ties between people," she said. "That's the sad thing."