Hate Speech, Symbol Found in Two Southampton Schools

A large drawing of a swastika was found in the bathroom stall of one of the student restrooms on Friday afternoon, February 3, at Southampton High School.

The hate symbol was discovered prior to the dismissal bell and, with the support of Southampton Village Police resource officers, the incident is currently under investigation, according to an email sent to district families and jointly signed by Principal Brian Zahn, Assistant Principal Melissa Mitchell and Assistant Principal Irene Navas.

“Please note that the Southampton Union Free School District will not stand for this behavior and will address the situation accordingly,” the email, sent on Saturday, stated. “We ask that all parents speak to their children about the devastatingly harmful impact of such behavior. Our school will continue to provide learning opportunities for all stakeholders to identify and stop hate speech in all of its forms.”

Starting in 2020, the high school began offering a year-long Holocaust studies class for juniors and seniors that was the first of its kind on the East End. It investigates the origins of antisemitism, offers an in-depth look at the Holocaust, and gives students the opportunity to challenge their own misconceptions and preconceived notions surrounding Jewish history and culture.

During an interview in 2021, teacher Saundra Dubin told The Express News Group: “When we talk about antisemitism from the beginning of time, there’s a common thread that just continues, and that thread is really that Jews have no right to exist, or they don’t have the same rights as other human beings. And it’s important for students, I think, to see that the Holocaust didn’t happen in isolation. There’s a lot of history of antisemitism before, and there has been a lot of antisemitism since.”

Additionally, phallic graffiti and hate speech, including racial slurs, were found in and around a seventh and eighth grade science lab workstation last week at the Southampton Intermediate School, according to an email sent to district families by Principal Justin Cobis.

“We strive to create a safe, welcoming and affirming environment in our schools,” it read. “Please note that these areas are being addressed over the weekend, and that any student in need of counseling or administrative support as a result of this will be given access on Monday.”

District administrators declined to comment when reached on Monday. “Please note that the district cannot discuss individual student discipline,” explained Jessica Novins, a media relations associate at Syntax.

Superintendent of Schools Nicholas Dyno also addressed the pair of incidents through an email sent on Monday to district families, which highlighted the district’s recently adopted policy on Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity — that, in part, reads, “Inclusive education is based on principals of acceptance and inclusion of all students,” it stated — and its first initiative to build awareness and educate students, faculty, and staff on the power of language.

“We will continue to educate the school community on understanding that there is no place for hate language or gestures that are profane, lewd, vulgar or abusive in the Southampton School District,” Dyno wrote. “This includes all forms of hate speech including use of the N-word in any context in our school buildings or at school sponsored events.”

The districtwide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force is in the process of developing a comprehensive plan that includes educational components for students, staff and the community, Dyno said, adding that this work complies with New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act and its effort to a create a “safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying on school property, a school bus and/or at a school function.”

“In order for us to continue to build a welcoming and affirming environment where every individual feels like they belong, all hate language — in every form — will be addressed,” he wrote. “With all of us working together, we will evolve as a community.”