ON Newsletter - Fall 2024
Stand Up to Hate: A Call to Action
Arno told WH, “Pardeep is such a powerful example of the capacity that we have as human beings to listen, to understand, to be compassionate, to forgive.”
Pardeep said, “To me, Arno represents what is great about our country, because he changed his ways and devoted his life to fighting the hatred he once embraced. That makes him a hero in my eyes.”
PHOTO CREDIT: MEGAN MONDAY
Recent years have seen a startling rise in hate crimes and hate-motivated violence across the country. Wisconsin, too, has felt this pain.
At Wisconsin Humanities, we are confronting this challenge head-on with our Stand Up to Hate initiative, dedicated to promoting understanding throughout the state. Hate does more than create fear; it divides us and undermines the fundamental values of respect and inclusion. Every person deserves to feel safe and valued, regardless of their background. By addressing the roots of hate and amplifying stories of resilience, we can empower individuals and communities to unite against discrimination and violence.
Teachers like Emily Zachary in Platteville understand that it is particularly crucial for young people to have a way to talk about hate crimes and the hate they can see happening in their communities. She has seen how deliberate discussions play a key role in creating a safe, welcoming learning environment where all students feel as though they belong. She says, “Hate and hate crimes often stem from ignorance, fear, and the perpetuation of stereotypes. By addressing these topics directly in educational settings, we can confront the root causes of hate and work to dismantle them.”
“The first few days after the photo [of students doing a Nazi salute], when it was in the [national] news so much, were scary and unsettling for me. I did not let my kids walk anywhere by themselves after school. I looked around at parents sitting next to me at hockey games, and community members in the grocery store, wondering what they really thought about my family as Jews.”
—Marcy Huffaker
“There are always going to be conversations that make people uncomfortable, conversations people don’t want to have. But I think it’s all about coming together as a community and uniting.” Emelia Thelemann told WH about her experience as a student leader at Platteville High School.
PHOTO CREDIT: HEDI LAMARR RUDD
Our Approach: Storytelling as a Tool for Change
Stand Up to Hate is a toolkit for sparking critical conversations among students and community members. The lived experience of those who have faced hate and discrimination is central to the curriculum. Stories from the 1940s to today come from diverse Wisconsin communities – including Sikh, Jewish, Muslim, Black, Asian American, Hmong, Latinx, American Indian, and LGBTQ individuals – and every instance of hate and violence includes examples of individual and community resilience.
One story comes from Marcy Hu aker, who was scared for her school-aged kids and worried for her community following an antisemitic incident at Baraboo High School. Her story shows how even seemingly small acts of hate can deeply a ect people where they live. Marcy’s story also offers hope as she joined with others to build the Baraboo Acts Coalition.
Stand Up to Hate opens conversation around lesser-known histories of discrimination. Drawing on the research of former WH board member Sergio González, the account of segregation faced by Mexican cherry-pickers in Door County during the 1940s encourages a deeper understanding of the bias and prejudice that persist today.
Another story features Pardeep Singh Kaleka and his work with former white supremacist leader Arno Michaelis. After Pardeep’s father was murdered in the Sikh temple shooting in Oak Creek in 2012, he and Arno started traveling the country promoting understanding and forgiveness. Their surprising bond and new-found understanding exemplify the profound potential for change within us all.
Engaging the Next Generation
WH partnered with We Are Many-United Against Hate to bring together more than 300 high school students to gain and practice skills in preventing hate-based violence. This past spring, the Stand Up to Hate curriculum was piloted in a social issues class in Mt. Horeb and at Madison West High School. The curriculum is free to download from our website so that any school or group can use it in proactive conversations that invest in healthy communities.
Emily Zachary teaches English at Platteville High School and is using Stand Up to Hate with students. She says, “By highlighting incidents in students’ hometowns or nearby areas, it makes these issues feel personal and relevant. What makes the curriculum powerful is that it doesn’t just tell stories of hate but also shows how people and communities have responded. By sharing examples of those who stood up against hate, it empowers students to see themselves as change-makers in their own communities.”
Join Us in Making a Difference
Wisconsin Humanities is proud to offer this important set of tools for free. As we confront the challenges posed by hate and violence in our state, we are building resilience and engagement based on facts, history, and inspiring examples. By supporting initiatives like Stand Up to Hate, you are investing in a future where understanding and respect prevail. Together, we can create a more inclusive Wisconsin, where every individual feels safe and valued.
The Stand Up to Hate resources are FREE to use and include a teacher guide and posters. All the resources can be easily downloaded on our website at communitypoweredwi.org/stand-up-to-hate If you are interested in learning more, please contact Chrissy Widmayer at chrissy.widmayer@wisconsinhumanities.org and Benny Witkovsky benny.witkovsky@wisconsinhumanities.org
Grantee Spotlight: To Have Community We Must Share a Meal
This past summer, Rubina Martini set out on a “Native Foodways Adventure,” traversing the state and region getting to know Native farmers, producers, chefs, and systems.
Love Wisconsin: Healthy Human Connections
Wisconsin is diverse geographically, politically, racially, and ethnically. The Love Wisconsin website features a large and growing collection of stories that remind us of the small miracles performed everyday by our neighbors who care deeply and step up to solve problems large and small.
Human Powered: Developing Tools to Thrive
When James Price first learned how to bead, he was incarcerated at the Stanley Correctional Institution in Wisconsin. He noticed a Native American man beading, so he asked if he could buy a pair of earrings. But they weren’t for sale.
Odyssey Beyond Bars: Own Your Story
Nestor Gomez got on stage at a Moth StorySlam years ago to get over the stuttering that plagued his childhood. Since then he has won more than 70 Slams! As a former undocumented immigrant, Nestor understands the importance of owning your own story.
WH Fellows: Envision a Vibrant Future
Every day, Wisconsinites use their creativity to tackle challenges in their communities. Our Community Powered program trains people to use an asset-based approach in community work.
