President's 2006 Statement on Hate Crime

With deep regret I have to inform the community of an event of vandalism and hate-speech that has occurred in our midst.

Last Sunday, one of the library staff in the Ginsberg Library noticed that three of the photographs of Allen Ginsberg in the library lobby had been vandalized: they had been scratched, scribbled over with a highlighter, and the word “fag” was written on one of them.  The library notified campus security, who in turn filed a report with the Boulder police.

This vandalism is an instance of hate-speech and intimidation, which constitutes far more than the fair airing of information or different points of view.  Hate-speech consists of extremely offensive personal insults and characterizations that are directed against an individual’s or group’s race, religion, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation or ability, which may incite violence, hatred or discrimination.  It causes damage to persons because words can and do harm targets of hate in painfully real ways.  Hate speech silences the members of target groups and denies them their rightful standing in society.

Our communal response to this incident is firm and unequivocal.  Hate-speech has absolutely no place at Naropa University.  I am reaffirming Naropa University’s position on hate speech.  “Naropa University is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus community.  Hate speech, hate propaganda, religious intolerance, racist and homophobic actions have no place and will not be tolerated at Naropa University  We at Naropa seek to build a safe and compassionate community that appreciates the many forms of diversity: ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, disability, gender, class and other group affiliations. As a community, we acknowledge and are enriched by the distinct historical experiences and social conditions of all of these groups, and of individuals belonging to them.  We welcome the presence of all and are committed to the ongoing creation of a fully inclusive community at Naropa.”

In the near future a public forum will be convened to hold space for reactions to these recent events. One goal of the gathering will be to express feelings about the recent incident and further, to provide support for both our GLBTQ community members and all of us living in contemplative community together.  Further educational programming is being developed through Student Affairs. For hate-speech to erupt in our midst is an affront to the dignity of each one of us.  I pledge the university’s commitment to creating an environment that is free from such hurtful and hate-filled speech and action.