WASHINGTON — Following is a statement by Jessica Henderson Daniel, PhD, president of the American Psychological Association, regarding anti-Semitic graffiti spray-painted in the office of Elizabeth Midlarsky, PhD, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University Teachers College in New York City. The vandalism reportedly included swastikas and an anti-Semitic slur:
“We are deeply disturbed by the anti-Semitic targeting of Midlarsky, a psychologist and Holocaust scholar. We stand in support of Midlarsky and in opposition to all such heinous hate crimes.
“Our nation experienced the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in U.S. history just one month ago at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. These incidents are part of a growing and disturbing trend in America of hate speech, assaults and vandalism. The FBI reports hate crimes increased 17 percent last year over 2016, most often motivated by race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
“Hate crimes are unsettling and can make people feel unsafe and unwelcome in the community. Psychological science tells us that victims of crimes that are bias-motivated are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety and anger than victims of crimes that are not motivated by bias. Even those not directly involved may feel psychological distress and lower self-esteem.
“APA condemns all hate crimes and supports ongoing efforts to reduce their occurrence and to help victims.”
The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. APA's membership includes nearly 115,700 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance the creation, communication and application of psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people's lives.