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Everyone in the country has been affected by the events of September 11th, 2001. There have been other difficult situations before that time and since. Unfortunately, we may experience others in the future.

During such times, people may feel sad, afraid, angry, confused, or numb. They may express these feelings in a variety of ways, some verbal, some physical, some healthy, some unhealthy. Certain verbal or physical expressions may constitute hate crimes or hate incidents. Some may not be crimes, but may be hurtful nonetheless.

If an act constitutes a hate crime or a hate incident that is prohibited by University policy or law, report it immediately to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). If you are unsure what constitutes a hate crime, contact DPS for more information or refer to a summary of definitions of hate incidents that they have developed. In general, hate crimes or incidents include a threat, an action likely to instigate violence, or an action involving another form of criminal activity motivated by hate.

Many events do not constitute hate crimes, but can be particularly hurtful and unhealthy for a community. In a sense, they are like physical injuries that do not demand police or hospital attention, but deserve attention nonetheless. With such injuries, there is often a need for an easy to apply, temporary aid to assist the healing process. Thus, in these difficult times, we may need to equip ourselves with a supply of emotional first-aid skills to handle potentially hurtful circumstances.

As with any such first-aid supplies, these should be used as needed and as helpful. In addition to those suggested for your standard kit, you may wish to add some that you have found to be particularly helpful in the past.

So consider the following, not as perfect cures for painful events, but as emotional bandages, salves, or disinfectants that might be useful to you in these difficult times:

 
First-Aid Skills and Resources:

• Protect yourself without harming another. This tends to cut the cycle of repeated harm.
• Refuse to be insulted, when someone offers an insult. Disagree with the insult and, then, practice a technique that helps you to release the hurtful feelings as soon as possible (e.g., slow deep breathing, thinking of someone or something else that brings you comfort, reaffirming your own value)
• Agree to disagree. Rather than participate in painful argument, state and believe your position, while leaving the other person the right to believe theirs.
• Disagree with hurtful speech without escalating, e.g., "You have a right to your opinion, but I disagree."
• Acknowledge all feelings as useful if you act throughtfully on them. For example, feeling angry, fearful or sad may be normal and healthy if appropriate. Hurting yourself or another person because of these feelings is neither necessary nor healthy.
• Think before acting on feelings.
• Condemn acts rather than people.
• Express your pain without inflicting pain.
• Respond with strength tempered with justice and compassion.
• Engage in respectful dialogue.
• Listen for understanding.
• Avoid name calling, stereotyping or overgeneralizing in your speech and be careful not to accept them in messages you hear. Instead, try to address your feelings about the belief, action or circumstance rather than aggressing against the humanity of an associated individual or group.
• Avoid and report dangerous situations.
• Ask for help from family, friends, or professionals.
• Organize with other supportive people.
• Share these tips with others.
• Prepare yourself to understand that in situations where emotions run high, hurtful statements will occur even under the best of circumstances. If they do, reach into your first-aid kit.
• Take whatever lesson or value there is from a hurtful experience and leave behind the pain.
 
 
Helping yourself feel safe and well:

(Emergency and Resource Numbers)

Campus Police: Non-Emergency and Campus Escort	415-338-7200
Campus Police: Emergency	415-338-2222
Lost and Found	415-338-2306
Crime Tip Hot Line	415-338-3030
Self Defense Training	415-338-1173
Office of Human Relations	415-405-0434
Counseling and Psychological Services	415-338-2208
Office of Student Programs/Leadership Development	415-338-2171
S.A.F.E. Place	415-338-2819
C.E.A.S.E.	415-338-1203, 415-338-7339

 
 
Add your own suggestions for protecting yourself from hurt or from hurting others:

• Send them to the Office of Human Relations at ohr@sfsu.edu.
• Or enter and submit them here: