The latest bias survey documents show “a rising tide of hate” at New Jersey schools and universities and says among those arrested for hate incidents, almost half are minors, mostly white and mostly male. In Middlesex County, one-third of reported bias incidents have occurred at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, where white supremacists posted flyers in dorms to recruit members. But students of all ages have noticed an uptick.
“We see this happening on a general basis. Not only on campus, but just in our regular lives, at work, just walking in the streets — all these things happen,” said Rutgers University student Victor Peguero.
“I just thought since it was like a different era, a different age, that we were supposed to be more accepting of people. I just didn’t think stuff like this was still happening, especially since we’re so young,” said Plainfield High School student Assata Baraka.
“I think that’s unfortunately not 100% surprising, because we’ve seen how much these movements have been trying to target young people. The use of social media, targeted social media ads on YouTube, have been used,” said New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice Director Johanna Calle.
The report shows bias incidents on the rise overall –from 549 in 2017 to 569 in 2018. More than 25% each year occurred at colleges and universities.
“When half the incidents being reported occur on college campuses or universities or in elementary schools? Yes, that is a crisis,” said New Jersey State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan.
And the percentage of known offenders who were minors skyrocketed — from 30% in 2017 to 46% in 2018. That alarmed state officials who pointed to possible causes.
“Social media, political rhetoric and the rise in hate groups,” said Rachel Wainer Apter, director of the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights. “Posts that tap into negative emotions like anger or fear can engage users. Also, as you know, it appears that the perpetrators of several recent massacres have posted hate-filled white nationalist attacks on social media.”
The report prompted Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver to sign an executive order creating a new Interagency Task Force to Combat Youth Bias. It’ll study root causes, review existing programs, and investigate possible solutions to reducing bias at schools.
Officials would not comment on recent New Jersey cases of alleged hate speech — one involving Toms River School Board member Dan Leonard, who’s retiring at year’s end. The other case, involving Jerry Scanlan, a Sussex County Community College trustee and county Republican chairman remains under investigation. Attorney General Gurbir Grewal condemned hateful political rhetoric.
“Our topic couldn’t be more timely, more urgent, given what’s taking place across our country right now,” Grewal said. “If our elected leaders, regardless of what position they hold, showed greater restraint in their political speech, we might see greater restraint among the population more broadly, especially young people.”
The task force gets six months to compile and analyze information. It will submit a report to the governor.
