Amid rising hate crimes in Los Angeles, the L.A. Sentinel, in partnership with Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE), hosted a vital two-day dialogue on Dec. 12 and 13.
The virtual sessions aimed to arm communities with strategies to foster resilience, promote understanding across diverse backgrounds, and acquaint attendees with options to report hate crimes.
Day one, titled “Stop the Hate: An Interfaith Dialogue,” moderated by FACE President/CEO Hyepin Im, featured Pastor Gary Bernard Williams, Rabbi Robin Rodolsky, Muslim Professor Najeeba Syeed, and Buddhist Chaplain Mary Stancavage sharing insights from their faith traditions. They emphasized compassion and informed responses to hate incidents.
“We must approach hate with love and wisdom,” Pastor Williams stressed, advocating for a deeper understanding to heal divisions. Rabbi Rodolsky added, “That which is hateful to yourself, do not do to another,” highlighting empathy’s role in communal healing.
Chaplain Stancavage celebrated the event’s diversity, remarking on the “mosaic of individuals” contributing to societal harmony.
The second day’s session, “Stop the Hate: How to Report,” guided by Sentinel Managing Editor Cora Jackson-Fossett, shifted focus to practical responses. Gilbert Zavala and Yolanda Anguiano from 211 LA detailed essential steps for addressing hate acts.
Key takeaways included:
- Reporting the Incident: Victims or witnesses should report incidents via phone at 211 or through online platforms, with options for anonymity to ensure safety and comfort.
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Providing Detailed Information: Accurate details about the incident help in assessing the context and severity, ensuring appropriate actions.
- Ensuring Confidentiality: Reports are kept confidential to protect individuals and encourage others to come forward.
- Accessing Support Services: 211 LA offers follow-up support and connects victims with resources like mental health services and legal advice.
- Community and Law Enforcement Collaboration: The organization works closely with law enforcement and community groups to provide a comprehensive support network.
- Educational Outreach: 211 LA conducts community education to increase awareness about hate crimes and the importance of reporting them.
These sessions not only provided spiritual insights but also equipped participants with actionable steps to effectively counter hate, reflecting a comprehensive approach to addressing this critical issue.
For more information on the panelists and their organizations from the “Stop the Hate” webinars, you can reach Gilbert Zavala and Yolanda Anguiano at 211 LA by emailing [email protected] and [email protected] respectively, or call Yolanda at (626) 766-4429. Additionally, you can learn about reporting hate acts in California by calling (833) 866-4283 or visiting CA vs Hate and LA vs Hate.
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of
California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
