Philadelphia Symposium to Combat Hate

by Aviva Perlo

On January 6, 2023, over 75 people gathered at the Parkway Free Library of Philadelphia to talk about hate crimes, combating hate, legal protections, and the importance of partnerships.

The Symposium was organized by the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations. The commission was the first in the country in 1951 to open a city office dedicated to eradicating discrimination and promoting equality in employment, housing, public spaces, and more.

During the pandemic, hate crimes increased and targeted minority populations. The City of Philadelphia has done and is doing a significant amount to disrupt hate crimes, strengthen democracy, and ensure healthier neighborhoods. Executive Director of the city’s Commission on Human Relations Kia Ghee, Esq, explains, “Hate has no place in our city or anywhere across our state and nation, yet it poses a real threat that disproportionately impacts people of color, the Jewish community, and members of LGBTQ+ community, specifically transgender women of color.”

Hate is not a new concept but it appears in new ways now. Chad Lassiter, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, explained, “Hate is no longer only in rural areas with burning crosses in yards. Our democracy has been infiltrated by white supremacy. Hatred of individual groups like anti-Semitism, xenophobia are outgrowths of white supremacy.” There is a pervasive rage that falsely insists that one type of people is superior, and others…