On November 6, 2018, the Interdisciplinary Research Institute for the Study of (In)Equality (IRISE), the Center for Middle East Studies, the Department of Religious Studies, and the Center for Judaic Studies hosted a panel to discuss increasing tides of hate in the United States.

This conversation was prompted by the murder of 11 people in a synagogue on October 27, 2018, an event that manifested a sinister matrix of Antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Latinx hatred. The panel provided an opportunity for the community to respond and think together about where we are as a country and what we can do to stem this rising tide of hatreds.

The panel consisted of:

Nader Hashemi, Director of the Center for Middle East Studies (JKSIS)
Sarah Pessin, Director of the Center for Judaic Studies (CAHSS)
Tom Romero, Assistant Provost for IE Research and Curriculum Initiatives (IRISE)
Andrea Stanton, Chair of the Department of Religious Studies (CAHSS)

The panel was moderated by Darren Hicks, President of the Faculty Senate (CAHSS) and closing remarks were given by Frank Tuitt, Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Provost of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI).

Additional reflections on the matter can be found in an op-ed from the Denver Post, authored by three of the panelists:
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/10/29/america-hate-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting/