Stanford Panel Addresses Bias Against Hindus and Jews on College Campuses

November 17, 2005

Source: The Stanford Daily

https://archives.stanforddaily.com/2005/11/17?page=8§ion=MODSMD_ARTICLE28

On November 17, 2005 The Stanford Daily reported, "Religious Studies Prof. Arnold Eisen and University of Hawaii Prof. Ramdas Lamb were keynote speakers at yesterday’s University panel aimed at promoting dialogue between Jewish and Hindu communities on college campuses. 'This is the first time in my 20 years at Stanford that I’ve been invited to share a platform with the Hindu community,' Eisen said. Titled 'Countering Bias Against Hindus and Jews in the College Campus,' the panel was a landmark effort in building common ground between the minority religious groups. Co-sponsored by the American Jewish Committee and the Hindu American Foundation, the event also drew student support from Hillel and the Hindu Student Council. The talk aimed to voice and analyze cases of bias against both factions in contemporary academia. Moderator Aaron Gross, a doctoral student from UC-Santa Barbara, summed up the philosophy behind the event. 'It’s not only the academic presentation of our communities that affects us,' he said. 'It also works the other way, where our collaborative efforts can bring about positive change in scholarship as well.' The panel brought to the surface numerous cases of academic hostility against both minorities. Bias took a range of forms, from offensive elementary school textbooks to suggestions for changing one’s name to hide personal creed."