But there are many things you can do. As educators, it is critical that you speak up when bigotry comes from colleagues. In a recent survey of Teaching Tolerance readers, educators responded that the No. 1 source of biased language on campus was other educators. When teachers exhibit intolerant attitudes, students lose an important ally — and the harassers win.

Teaching Tolerance offers programs to help schools become "safe zones."

Mix It Up encourages students to break down the social boundaries that create cliques and lead to harmful stereotypes and exclusion. During the annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day, students eat lunch while sitting next to someone they don't know. Prompts from teachers or other students guide the conversation. Often combined with dialogue groups sponsored by Study Circles, Mix It Up at Lunch Day has helped millions of students across the country examine their own biases and overcome their fears of difference.

Every year, more than half a million college students are targets of bias-driven slurs or physical assaults. Another program by Teaching Tolerance, 10 Ways to Fight Hate on Campus, helps student activists, professors and administrators address hate and bias and strengthen campus communities. The program provides a free action guide and technical assistance to colleges and universities across the country.

Beyond the classroom: tips for parents and the community Go