A retired school administrator and co-manager of the Temple Beth Shalom cemetery in Florida met with all Middle School eighth-grade social studies classes on Oct. 7, telling the story of how the cemetery’s antisemitic symbols desecration became a teachable moment for broad-based conversations about hate speech and strategies students can use to confront those who use hateful language.
Michael Melasky wanted students to know that once they understand what “hate is,” they can combat it. His presentation, “Hate is Not Welcome Here,” was part of the Middle School’s ongoing commitment to character education programming which includes constant reminders and reinforcement that there’s zero tolerance for the use of hateful speech, symbols or actions anywhere at the Middle School and the district.
His talk also connected to Holocaust, World War II, Civil War and post-Civil War content — including the hateful symbols of those eras — that students will be learning about this school year.
“Some of what you will hear will make you uncomfortable,” he told them. “The whole purpose of this is to make you better citizens. What happened in our community can happen anywhere.”
In 2016, on the eve of Yom Kippur, vandals had spray-painted antisemitic graffiti including swastikas and SS insignias on the brick walls surrounding the cemetery property.
Students attentively listened as Mr. Melasky told them the story, using the emotional accounts of his friends, his personal reflections, pictures, symbols, definitions, and history for context. He spoke about the immediate and long-term aftermath to the greater Warwick Valley community, including the media attention it garnered. He told them he’s speaking about this in an effort to get others to better understand the negative consequences of hate speech and use of hateful symbols.
But as part of that, Mr. Melasky also stressed something good came from what happened.
People and religious leaders of different faiths as well as elected officials came together to demonstrate their solidarity with the synagogue in a healing service. A positive byproduct of an unintended delay in removing the antisemitic markings was parents bringing their children to the cemetery to show them what happened and remind them there’s no place for this kind of hate
“There were a lot of good conversations coming out of something so unacceptable,” Mr. Melasky said.
He noted it’s hard to be a young person or an adult when confronted with hate speech, because all people want to be accepted; not confrontational.
But Mr. Melasky encouraged students to be advocates for positive change and be responsible for their own speech.
“When you see something, say something using a non-arrogant, non-threatening tone,” he said to them. “Silence is not an option.“
He encouraged students to be advocates for positive change by using the “4Cs” of dealing with hate speech:’ Care,’ ‘courage,’ ‘confront’ and ‘counteract.’”
Mr. Melasky acknowledged it can be very difficult to let people know what they’re saying or doing makes them uncomfortable. But saying nothing, versus confronting the comment or action, he stressed, only gives approval to those words or actions. He suggested taking a step back from the situation, and talking to a family member or a teacher about how to address uncomfortable comments or situations.
Principal Michael Larsen reminded students there’s all kinds of resources at school to help with this. And, he also reminded them there’s negative consequences for anyone who violates the district’s Code of Conduct if they use hateful speech and share hateful symbols.
“It’s important to learn about positive character traits and habits so you become good, responsible citizens,” he told students. “Hateful words and actions can and do harm and their impact is long-lasting. To have someone from our community remind us about this is an important lesson that we can’t forget.”