Targeted and Omitted: Institutional Role of Protecting Minoritized Religious Groups Against Hate Crimes

Abstract

Using data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program and the Department of Education Government Accountability Office (DOE GAO), this study examines the prevalence of hate crimes directed at Muslim, Sikh, and Jewish students and explores whether hate crimes increased during the 2016 presidential election and Trump presidency. In this study we aggregate these groups as minoritized religious groups (MRG) in institutions of higher education (IHE). Conceptually grounded in the minoritized religious and spiritual campus climate framework (MRSCC), the findings indicate that offenses and incidents directed at MRG peaked from 2016–2018, and there were discrepancies in the reporting processes. Further research is needed to better understand how hate crimes directed at MRG are reported and its impact on policy and professional practice so that leaders in IHE are better equipped to address hate crimes.

Notes

¹ We use anti-Jewish and anti-Semitism interchangeably in this study to indicate religious discrimination.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shafiqa Ahmadi

a

Shafiqa Ahmadi ([email protected]) is a professor of clinical education at the USC Rossier School of Education and co-director for the Center for Education, Identity, and Social Justice. She researches legal protections of underrepresented student populations.

Jacob Boarnet

b

Jacob Boarnet ([email protected]) is an M.Ed. student at the USC Rossier School of Education. His research interests include marginalized students, sociolegal theory, and the intersections of law, sociology, and education.

Brandon Garcia

c

Brandon Garcia ([email protected]) is a graduate student at the USC Rossier School of Education and research intern for the Center for Education, Identity, and Social Justice.

Milie Majumder

d

Milie Majumder ([email protected]) is a doctoral student and research assistant at the USC Rossier School of Education. Her research interests include minoritized student populations and their experiences in higher education.