Lecia Brooks, outreach director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, travels around the country, encouraging people to do what they can to oppose intimidation and other types of hate-related harassment. After hearing her speak on the Knox College campus recently, students said they felt inspired and better-informed about how to intervene against incidents of hate.

"I think it was something that we needed to hear because I know that a lot of us on campus are frustrated with everything that's going on in the political scene. But oftentimes we don't know exactly the best way to do something," said Karina Martinez ‘17.

"Just little things, like standing up and saying something, is enough," Martinez added.

Brooks' appearance on campus on February 21 was arranged by the Knox College Center for Intercultural Life.

Ashaunti Roby '17 described the presentation as an educational event where Brooks "brought to light a lot of things I didn't know."

In her remarks, Brooks said that since the 2016 presidential election, there has been an increase in hate-related incidents and harassment. Most often, these incidents have been motivated by anti-immigrant, anti-Black, anti-Muslim, and anti-LGBT views, she said.

In addition, Brooks said that anti-Semitism is on the rise. As an example, she cited the recent desecration of a Jewish cemetery near St. Louis, Missouri.

People shouldn't ignore hate-related incidents, Brooks said, adding, "That just can't happen." Instead, individuals need to remind others that such incidents aren't appropriate for the world we want to live in, she said.

Brooks leads the Southern Poverty Law Center's outreach efforts on key initiatives and social justice issues, and she often gives presentations that promote tolerance and diversity. She also serves as director of the Civil Rights Memorial Center in Montgomery, Alabama. Founded in 1971, the Southern Poverty Law Center uses litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy to fight hate and bigotry and to seek justice for the most vulnerable members of society.

Brooks offered guidelines on how people can intervene when they see someone getting harassed. The guidelines include:

• Assess, record, and report the situation to police, the SPLC, or other appropriate organizations.
• Don't "get into it" with the person who is doing the harassing.
• Instead, focus on the person who is being victimized. Make eye contact, stand beside him or her, and ask, "Are you OK?"

Roby said afterward that she now feels more sure "I'm going to say something when I see something wrong."

"I know how I am, and If I was in a situation like that, I would want to be assured that somebody is going to help me," Roby added. "I shouldn't be waiting on [someone else and thinking] ‘OK, somebody's going to do something.' I'm going to be that person."