Photo Courtesy of Rosemary Geib ‘23
By Declan Langton ’22
Editor-in-Chief
Content warning: this article discusses antisemitism
A Nazi swastika was found drawn across the bathroom mirror in the third floor single stall bathroom in 1837 Hall on Oct. 6, just after 6:30 p.m., according to a letter to the community from the Jewish Student Union board. Shortly after it was found, the symbol was removed by Public Safety and Services.
“As the Jewish Student Union Board, we are disturbed and heartbroken that this happened on our campus and, especially, that it happened in a place where Jewish students live and are supposed to feel safe,” the JSU board wrote.
On Oct. 7, Mount Holyoke College President Sonya Stephens sent a letter to the community addressing the incident and explaining the hate behind the symbol. “While this ancient symbol is present in many cultures with a range of spiritual meanings, it is also commonly associated with the murderous legacy of the Nazi regime, and has become a symbol of antisemitism, hate and white supremacy,” Stephens wrote.
After the swastika was reported to the College’s bias reporting website, leaders of the JSU met with members of the College administration, including Stephens and staff from Community and Belonging, according to the letter from the JSU board. On Oct. 7, Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Marcella Runell Hall and Vice President for Equity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Kijua Sanders-McMurtry held open hours in the Unity Center for those seeking support.
In emails addressed to students and the larger community of Mount Holyoke, both Stephens and Hall condemned the act.
“We join you in both anger and grief and condemn in the strongest terms this provocation and all symbols of hate, which have no place on our campus,” Stephens wrote. “We extend to the Jewish community of Mount Holyoke College, and everywhere, our heartfelt support, our love and compassion and our solidarity with you.”
The JSU board called on non-Jewish students to “step up” following this incident. “Do your research about how to support Jewish students and show up to do the work,” they wrote. Additionally, they invited all “allies and those who want to be allies” to join the JSU for Kabbalat Shabbat in Eliot House on Oct. 15 to hear from Jewish students about the best ways to offer support.
The JSU board also offered a message of support to the Jewish community at Mount Holyoke. “To our Jewish peers, we will always stand up for you. This act of hate will not deter us from being a strong and loving community,” they wrote. “Jewish students, you belong at Mount Holyoke College.”
Mount Holyoke News will continue following this developing story and welcomes any tips and accounts from the Mount Holyoke community.