Hateful Incidents
To the campus community,
We learned over the last few days about two deeply disturbing acts of prejudice and hate that I condemn in the strongest possible terms. Racist, antisemitic, and other forms of bigoted acts and rhetoric are on the rise across the country as well as on our doorstep. They cannot and will not be tolerated at Bowdoin.
The first incident took place at approximately 2:45 p.m. on Friday, February 8, near the railroad bridge on Federal Street, when a student was making their way to the Stowe Inn. As the student was approaching the bridge, a white SUV heading north on Federal Street pulled alongside, and one of at least two occupants of the vehicle yelled horrible anti-Black racial slurs and other insults at them before laughing and driving away in the direction of Mason Street and Route 1.
The second incident was reported to Bowdoin Safety and Security at 4:05 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, when two students discovered a swastika and phallus drawn in the dust on the rear window of a car belonging to one of the students. The car was parked on Boody Street.
These are cowardly, racist, and antisemitic acts. Both are under investigation, and I urge those with any information about the perpetrators to contact Bowdoin’s Office of Safety and Security to aid in identifying those responsible. In addition, I encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed an event such as these to use the College’s online reporting tool. Reporting and support services are also available through the Office of the Dean of Students and Counseling and Wellness Services. Resources for employees are available through the Employee Assistance Program.
I am grateful to the students who came forward to report these incidents, and I encourage all of us to do the same if we encounter or know of incidents like these that so violate our values and our sense of community. One thing I know is that we are stronger together, when our shared values help us support each other.
Incidents like these are unsettling and upsetting for the targeted individuals and targeted groups as well as for our entire community. We are doing everything we can to identify the perpetrators and hold them accountable, and I encourage you to take care of yourselves, support each other, and take advantage of the college resources that are available to support all of you.
Sincerely,
Safa