Jewish students of Bucknell respond to the swastika drawn in Bertrand Library

This morning, a swastika was found carved into the wall of the men’s bathroom in Bertrand library at Bucknell. Once the swastika was reported, it was immediately removed by facilities. The vandal is still unknown. As a Jewish person at Bucknell, this scares the shit out of me.

Bucknell is a tolerant place, and this is the last place I expected to find a Nazi symbol. This is a place where students protested after Trump was elected, where students write messages of support and inspiration on the pavement in the middle of the night. This is not a place of hate, and I’m appalled that it’s becoming one.

Some Jewish Bucknell students weighed in on their thoughts about the vandalism.

Mike Gerber, 18, Mechanical Engineer

Michael Gerber, 18, Mechanical Engineer

“I’ve heard some other people saying that it’s just something that some ignorant person scribbled on the wall, but this kind of quiet, almost subliminal sense of antisemitism scares me. We cannot let this hatred go unnoticed, even if it may seem like a small problem.”

Blake Andrew, 20, Film Studies

Blake Andrew, 20, Film and Media Studies

“From what I’ve heard it’s been there for a long time, but it’s interesting that it’s getting noticed now in light of recent political events.”

Melanie Grossman, 19, Neuroscience & Music

Melanie Grossman, 19, Neuroscience & Music

“I’m disgusted and hurt by the fact that someone took the time to do this on our campus. It’s honestly mind blowing to me that someone can rationalize a hate action such as this. It’s so important for everyone to come together and take a stance against hate towards any person or group, and I think as minded college students, now is the best time to do so.”

The President of Bucknell, John Bravman, Sent out an email making it clear that hatred will not be tolerated.

“This anonymous act of cowardice is absolutely despicable…I call on all members of our Bucknell community to stand up against anti-semitism and all other forms of discrimination.  We will not tolerate hate.”