Muscles Of The Mind: Schwarzenegger Speaks On 'Terminating Hate' In NJ

GALLOWAY, NJ — Resisting hate takes strength, Arnold Schwarzenegger told a crowd recently at New Jersey’s Stockton University.

The actor, bodybuilder, and former politician focused on “terminating hate” at his presentation Monday at the university’s campus in Galloway.

“It is easier to hate than it is to learn. Easier isn’t better,” Schwarzeneggersaid as he urged those attended to grow the muscles of their character, as well as their bodies.

He also met with local Holocaust survivors and toured the university’s Holocaust Resource Center — combating antisemitism has been something Schwarzenegger has focused on for decades; he was born in Austria to a former Nazi Party member after World War II.

“It’s not easy to look in the mirror and change your own life,” Schwarzenegger said. “Discomfort is how we grow strong,” he said. “You have to struggle to build strength.”

Local Holocaust survivors Elizabeth Roth, Leo Ullman and Maud Dahme, and their families joined nearly 700 students, faculty, staff and other guests, the university said.

Stockton President Harvey Kesselman presented the former California governor with an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree, the university said.

Schwarzenegger said he has seen people “throw away their future because of hateful beliefs” and said his father was “ “a broken man who had to drink to numb the pain.”

“Today, I don’t want to preach to the choir,” he said. “I want to talk to the people out there who may have stumbled on their path. … I want to talk to you if you found yourself thinking anyone is inferior or out to get them because of their religion or color of skin.”

Schwarzenegger toured the Sara & Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center before his speech, the university said. This internationally-recognized center preserves and shares the history of the Holocaust and life stories of South Jersey survivors.

“Stockton University is known for its work studying the Holocaust and fighting hate and fighting for inclusion,” he said.

Student Max Eisenman of Manalapan was one of three students at the head of the line, and said he was “shaking in his shoes” since the announcement of Schwarzenegger’s visit to campus.

“Especially coming from a Jewish student, this is really special to see: a really good talk about a really important issue that I feel like we seem to hear about a lot in the news, country and world, and to hear it brought to life by a figure like Arnold here at Stockton is extraordinary,” said Eisenman, a junior psychology major and member of Hillel.

Jared Handelman, a fellow Hillel member who also participates in Stockton Powerlifting, said the opportunity to see Schwarzenegger was an “honor.”

“He’s such a role model for students, as well as lifters,” the sophomore marine biology major said said. “I have a real emotional connection to this event. This is a great opportunity, and I’m going to embrace it.”