The war is causing my students to fear each other

I’m worried about my children. Not my biological ones — they’re fine — but my students, whom I think of as my children because I have taught them, and counseled them, and nurtured them for years.

- Robert Reich

They are at a time of their lives when they’re trying to figure out the meaning of social justice and their roles in seeking to advance it.

Yet, some of them who are Jewish tell me they’re afraid.

Some who are Arab, Palestinian, or Muslim tell me they’re afraid too.

The two groups are afraid of each other. There have been perceived threats, slights, and intimidation.

My Jewish students tell me of receiving antisemitic notes, of seeing swastikas, of feeling unsafe.

My Arab, Palestinian, and Muslim students tell me that speaking out against Israel’s aggression has resulted in “doxing” and, in some cases, withdrawals of offers of employment. They are subject to anti-Palestinian and Islamophobic taunts. They also feel unsafe.

Here’s what I’m telling them in response.