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Dear John,
In an annual tradition, ADL pauses each December to take stock of the moments and people who shaped the last 12 months — for better, or for worse.
For 2021, we compiled two Top 10 lists for you: One that celebrates moments of hope, progress and resilience and one looking back on the moments of hurt and hate — whether antisemitism, racism, extremism or other — that shaped our country.
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Top 10 Moments of Inspiration and Hope in 2021
As the year draws to a close, ADL looks back on the moments from 2021 that gave us hope and encouragement that our hundred-plus-year fight against antisemitism and hate is making progress.
And there were plenty of big, inspirational moments to choose from in 2021: A $26 million verdict against the white supremacists responsible for Charlottesville; the launch of a $1.1 billion foundation to help prevent Anti-Asian hate crimes; and meaningful legal victories against racially motivated violence — just to name a few.
Here’s our list of the Top 10 most inspiring moments of 2021, as selected and curated by members of ADL’s staff. You can see the full list and learn about each moment here.
- Landmark victory in Charlottesville trial: $26 million verdict against white supremacists
- Policy milestones that are poised to drive systemic change
- Amanda Gorman’s poem, “The Hill We Climb” inspires millions
- Strengthening of relations between Israel and Arab countries through the signing of the Abraham Accords portends new era of regional cooperation
- Deborah Lipstadt nominated as the next Antisemitism Envoy at the State Department
- The Asian American Foundation incubated with $1.1 billion, and a boost from ADL
- President Biden’s Cabinet and White House appointments shatter the glass ceiling
- Meaningful legal victories in racially motivated killings of Floyd and Arbery
- Facebook whistleblower motivates action
- Communities from Texas to Washington, D.C. unite in the face of hate
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Top 10 Heartbreaking Moments of Hate in 2021, and How ADL Responded
The year 2021 was marked by a series of heart-wrenching setbacks in the fight against hate around the world. From the Capitol insurrection on January 6 to brazen attacks on Jews, Asian Americans, and other marginalized groups in the streets of New York and Los Angeles, these events drew back the curtain on the prevalence of antisemitism and racism, fueled hatred in our communities and fostered division across society.
Fortunately, they did not come without repercussions or a response. Unfailingly, good people in communities across the United States spoke out forcefully against hate — as did many of our nation’s leaders. And ADL’s dedicated team of professionals mobilized time and again in response to fight hate in the trenches. See the full list and learn about each moment here.
- The January 6 Insurrection
- Mainstreaming of anti-Zionism triggers surge of antisemitic incidents during the Israel-Hamas Conflict
- Facebook whistleblowers reveal what the company knew about hate on their platforms
- Inappropriate Holocaust comparisons surge as pandemic rages
- FBI hate crime data shows incidents at highest level in decades
- New voter suppression laws appear designed to target people of color
- Asian Spa shootings in Atlanta deemed a hate crime; Asian hate crimes spike nationwide
- Survey reveals one-third of Jewish college students report experiencing antisemitism
- Iran remains world’s number one state sponsor of antisemitism, terrorism
- ADL survey shows most U.S. teens experience alarming levels of hate/harassment when gaming online
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All of these moments, both good and bad, serve as an inspiration to the ADL community and the world around us about the need to unite and speak out against antisemitism and hate in 2022.
Thank you for helping us to keep Fighting the Good Fight, as we work vigilantly to bring more moments of hope to the coming year.
| Sincerely, |
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| Jonathan Greenblatt |
| CEO and National Director |
| ADL |
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