Stand Up: How to Help When You Witness Acts of Hate or Bias

Be an Active Bystander. Whether people are joking about stereotypes (women, people of color, LGBTQ, etc.) or using outright slurs, there are a number of ways to use the 3D tactics to Direct, Distract, and Delegate.

There are many environments in which bigotry and bias can happen. Speak Up: Responding to Everyday Bigotry, is a resource guide from the Southern Poverty Law Center. It contains tips and strategies for speaking up in different situations such as with your friends, with your family, in public spaces, in stores, with strangers, and more.

Intervening in bias incident can include:

  • Calling UMPD at (413) 525-3111 or 911
  • Interrupting the behavior (if it is safe to do so)
  • Expressing compassion and solidarity to any person(s) impacted
  • If the incident happened in class, talking to or e-mailing the professor or teaching assistant
  • Taking photos, videos, or collecting other documentation and reporting the incident