Racism and Anti-Semitism

“I’ve been called a terrorist… as a Muslim woman.”

“[I’m] constantly [called] ch**k, ling ling, [and I have had people] stretch eyelids at me.”

“[I] got called [the] n-word with a hard r.”

These experiences are not merely isolated incidents of blatant racism: 34.7 percent of students believe that there is a racist environment at East. Worse, 58 percent of Black and Hispanic students believe there is a racist environment, while 39.5 percent of all non-white students believe there is one.

Sophie Angulo (‘22) has been the target of multiple slurs. While she acknowledged that there is a wide range of diversity at East, she also noted that the racist occurrences that she has experienced have undermined her experience.

These normalized insults are commonplace within East’s halls, with multiple students having reported their usage.

In her freshman year, a classmate called Angulo “the dumbest Asian girl.”

When facing these situations, Angulo said she talked to friends because they could relate to some of her experiences and provide advice.

“I just feel like there [are] not a lot of outlets for me to go to; it’s better if I go to my friends,” said Angulo.

Another senior student at East described the school as a collaborative society that is made up of members willing to help each other. However, the student also described personal experiences with anti-semitism at East, raising another concern about background-based discrimination at East.

“Even though it might have been in a joking banter kind of setting, I’ve heard ‘filthy Jew’ being used,” said the senior student.

The student elaborated on this incident that took place in a study hall. After lending a dollar to a friend, another friend asked for a dollar. Upon hearing that the student did not have another dollar bill, the friend called the student a ‘filthy Jew.’

“I know he didn’t mean harm by it, but…you don’t just say that to someone,” said the student.
In addition, the student said they frequently hear the term “JAP,” which stands for a Jewish American Prince or Princess.

“Using the fact that [someone is] Jewish as the reason why they deserve to be called this term is anti-semitic,” said the student.

Overall, a significant number of students have faced discrimination at East because of their background.

Another student wrote, “You will always overhear someone being rude to another religion or ethnicity. It’s not spoken about, but it should be.”