LOVE WINS: Panel discussion on positive ways to respond to hate in our community

On Wednesday, January 25th, 2017, at Penn Hillel, as a part of the University of Pennsylvania’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Symposium on Social Change, DPS conducted a panel discussion on the differences between hate speech and hate crime, and ways to counter both peacefully using love and resilience. DPS held the event in conjunction with the University’s Chaplain’s office.

The discussion was moderated by Maureen S. Rush, Vice President for Public Safety, with panelists Rev. Charles Howard, University Chaplain, Nancy Baron-Baer, Philadelphia Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League, and Karu Kozuma, Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs.  The topics, including response to hate speech, the definitions for and differences between hate crimes and hate speech, and ways to respond to real-world examples, filled the hour and half event with thought provoking and thoughtful ideas. Reverend Howard discussed ways to find strength and resilience, and ways to help one another during times of great challenge.  The event concluded with a question and answer session with the audience.

We thank our panelists for participating in this thoughtful dialogue.