Dear Students,

Earlier this month, President Bollinger made us aware of a Day Out Against Hate that was initiated by the City Council on November 29. Unfortunately, Columbia has been subject to a number of acts of bias and hate in the last several weeks and these acts threaten our community. It is because of this that we are reaching out to you and asking for you to support us in our stand against hate.

Over the past several days, a university wide effort, led and driven by students, has formed to express how they wish to take a stand. Students from all over our community will share their thoughts and feelings on a series of collages that speak to each of the groups that have been targeted on our campus. Each of these collages speaks to the acts of hateful expression that relate to religion, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and other forms of bias that have been experienced by members of our community.

On Tuesday, November 27, and Wednesday, November 28, the Columbia community will have an opportunity to create these collages. The students working on this project ask that you come to Horace Mann Theater of Teachers College and add your piece to these panels. This is an opportunity for you to express how these acts relates to you as an individual or how it affects your own community. The collages will be displayed on Low Plaza throughout the day on November 29.

From 12-2pm on November 29, students will be gathering at Low Plaza to share poems, readings, and thoughts on how issues of hate and bias impact each of us within the community. Through the sharing of spoken word, we will strive to use the power of words and social bonding to heal. Students are encouraged to share poetry, quotes and motivational phrases with Eleanor Daugherty at ejd2002@columbia.edu by Wednesday, November 28 at noon. These readings will be shared throughout the spoken word portion of the day and participants will be asked to reflect on their meaning within the context of the day.

The Day Out Against Hate will conclude with a candlelight vigil at 5pm on Low Plaza. We invite students, faculty and staff to stand united against acts of hate.

On behalf of the Planning Committee, we encourage you to participate in as many elements of the Day Out Against Hate as possible. Join us all in taking a stand against these hateful acts that have so directly impacted our community.

Yours,

The Day Out Against Hate Planning Committee

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Day Out Against Hate: Schedule

Tuesday, November 27: Collage Creation*

10am-2pm Islamophobia (Horace Mann Theatre, Teachers College)

2:30pm-6:30pm Anti-Semitism (Horace Mann Theatre, Teachers College)

7pm-11pm Racism: Supporting our African American community (Horace Mann Theatre, Teachers College)


Wednesday, November 28: Collage Creation*

10pm-2pm Homophobia (Horace Mann Theatre, Teachers College)

2:30pm- 6:30pm Acts of hate and bias that we feel as groups and individuals (Horace Mann Theatre, Teachers College)

*Please note creation of all 5 collages is ongoing and will extend beyond their allotted time.


Thursday, November 29: Day Out Against Hate

11am until dusk: Public viewing of the Collages (Low Plaza)

12-2pm: Spoken Word (Low Plaza)

5pm: Vigil (Low Plaza)


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Directions to the Horace Mann Theatre:

The entrance to Teachers College is located on 120th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam. When entering the building, please show a valid Columbia ID to pass, or a valid photo ID and sign-in at the desk. Please indicate you are going to the Horace Mann theatre if they ask.

Once passed the security desk, travel downstairs to the basement, turn right, and follow the signs to the Horace Mann Theatre.