News Summary
Charlotte, North Carolina, is facing a troubling rise in antisemitic incidents, with 175 reported in 2024. This marks an increase from previous years, with leaders urging the community to raise awareness and report incidents. One particularly harrowing case involved the vandalism of a local resident’s home, reflecting a broader atmosphere of fear. Furthermore, disturbing propaganda disguised as children’s literature has emerged. The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte is actively working to combat these issues, emphasizing community support and reporting to address this alarming trend.
Charlotte, North Carolina is experiencing a concerning trend as antisemitic incidents surged for the second consecutive year, with the Anti-Defamation League reporting a total of 175 incidents in 2024. This alarming statistic reflects a significant increase from the 151 incidents recorded in 2023, and a staggering rise from just 39 incidents in 2022.
Among the reported acts of antisemitism in 2024, there were 140 instances of harassment, 33 cases of vandalism, and 2 assaults. This upward trend has raised concerns within the Jewish community, prompting leaders to stress the importance of awareness and reporting to combat these occurrences. The Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte has noted that more members of the community are beginning to report incidents of antisemitism, which could result in an ongoing increase in the documented cases.
The community is still processing the impact of specific hateful acts, such as the vandalism suffered by a local resident named Deborah McCullough. In December 2024, she found a large swastika and a series of racist messages spray-painted on her home, an incident she described as both terrifying and personal. Following the incident, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department began an investigation, with support from the Jewish Federation, which serves as a first line of defense for individuals who experience antisemitism.
Community leaders have expressed that these incidents create a pervasive fear among individuals showing their Jewish identity in public spaces. The Jewish Federation has established an online platform to make it easier for victims to report antisemitic behavior, emphasizing that unreported incidents can contribute to a dangerous environment that encourages hate.
Beyond individual incidents, the community is also witnessing a troubling trend where racist propaganda is being distributed under the guise of children’s literature. Local residents discovered books containing white supremacist ideologies in Little Free Libraries across Charlotte, including a book titled “The Breeds of Sneeds & The ABCs of CRT.” This book mimics the style of Dr. Seuss but propagates hate, discredits Critical Race Theory, and promotes debunked eugenics theories while suggesting these ideologies should be attributed to Jewish individuals. This mirrors historical eugenics practices in North Carolina, which facilitated the sterilization of thousands of individuals in the past.
The project “Outshine Hate,” initiated by the Jewish Federation, aims to unify the community against hate and combat the rising tide of antisemitism. The Morrison Family YMCA was also a recent target of vandalism, with antisemitic messages and symbols traced on its facilities, showcasing how pervasive these issues have become across various community spaces. In response, both the YMCA and the Jewish Federation have condemned these acts and reiterated their commitments to inclusivity and community solidarity.
Experts have identified a disturbing trend in the spread of hate-related propaganda, reporting that there has been an over 600% increase in white supremacist materials since 2018. This alarming data highlights the urgency of addressing these challenges and protecting the community from the risks associated with hate speech and violent acts prompted by antisemitism.
The community is coming together in the face of these challenges, emphasizing the need for vigilance, support, and widespread reporting to counteract the dangerous rise of antisemitic sentiment and hostility. There is a clear necessity for ongoing dialogue and understanding to foster a more inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the diversity of all individuals within Charlotte.
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Additional Resources
- Spectrum Local News: Antisemitism Increasing in North Carolina
- Wikipedia: Antisemitism
- WBTV: Charlotte Woman’s Home Vandalized
- Google Search: antisemitism Charlotte
- Charlotte Observer: Religious Community Response
- Google Scholar: antisemitism
- WSOC TV: Racist Books Found in Libraries
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Antisemitism
- WBTV: YMCA Vandalized with Hate Speech
- Google News: antisemitism North Carolina
