Note: This letter originally appeared as an email sent to the Hopkins community on September 2, 2021.
Dear Johns Hopkins Community:
The JHU Office of Institutional Equity and Johns Hopkins Public Safety are currently investigating an incident that occurred on August 27 in which a JHU affiliate and his young son were walking on North Charles Street when a passerby in a vehicle shouted an anti-Semitic profanity. The vehicle then left the area.
We take this incident very seriously, and in addition to the ongoing investigation have offered our support and resources to the affected individuals. We also want to take this opportunity to reiterate that anti-Semitic hatred, and discriminatory words and behavior of any kind, stands in opposition to Johns Hopkins University’s values. As President Daniels and our university’s leaders have shared before, Johns Hopkins unequivocally condemns such behavior. This incident is a sad reminder of the record rise in horrific anti-Semitic incidents and attacks across the country in recent years, as well as the responsibility each of us has to stand against bigotry in all its ugly forms.
Johns Hopkins is a diverse community that takes great pride in the fact that our campuses reflect the broad array of human differences found in our society at large. Embracing this diversity advances the university’s fundamental role in cultivating students’ capacity for learning, from classes, classmates, and colleagues; fuels bold discovery; and serves as a distinguishing factor in our success. The achievement of this ideal will depend on our ability to create and nourish an environment and culture where people from all backgrounds feel valued, engaged, and empowered to succeed. We will not tolerate harassment, violence, or discrimination in any form on our campuses.
If you are a victim of any such situation, you are strongly encouraged to file a complaint through official university channels. More information about filing a complaint is available on the OIE website. Incidents can also be reported using the SpeakToUs hotline or you can contact Public Safety at 410-516-7777.
Hopkins Hillel welcomes affiliates who need support services related to this incident. The university also offers emotional support services for employees through the mySupport program and lists a variety of services for students on the student wellness website.
We ask for your support in our ongoing efforts to build a more inclusive community, and we will continue to work to ensure that everyone feels safe, supported, and welcome at Johns Hopkins.
Sincerely,
Katrina Caldwell
Chief Diversity Officer
Shanon Shumpert
Vice Provost for Institutional Equity