I highly doubt that the protests are ‘against the policies ‘ of Israel. You know better. The protests are for the annihilation of Israel. They are explicitly pro Hamas. Don’t write bullshit.
Any antisemitism, such as it exists, is incidental to the campus protests (and protestors). The impetus of the growing and massive movement against Israel and for the Palestinians comes from the heart of today's hard leftist wokeism. Oppressor/oppressed is the operative metric here. Don't forget that.
Why would you say that these protests began as "peaceful protests against policies of the Israeli government"? What evidence do you have that these protesters intentions were ever peaceful or that they were only protesting Israel government policy as opposed to the existence of Israel at all. When you base the premise of your entire article on something that simply isn't true, it makes the sentiment in the rest hard to believe.
Kumbaya is just pablum. There need to be strict consequences for actions that that violate individual freedoms. We are in this state of chaos expressly because people are not held accountable. We have laws. Enforce them. No more than excuses.
Actually, the behavior we're seeing from university people is very similar to what occurred in Germany during the 1920s and early 1930s. And I find it an interesting contrast between this and the heavy hand that was used in the 1980s when various campus protests took place, or what would happen if the protests happened to come from another side of the political spectrum.
And let's not forget this protest model was (successfully) practiced by a number of BLM supporters and the like not so many years ago. It's an established playbook, one they also copied (intentionally or otherwise) from earlier movements...just like their race-based focus and hatred. Just because they happen to call themselves Marxists doesn't make it so. They have far more in common with the National Socialists than they'd like to admit, and this current crop of students would do well to reflect on that reality as well.
I agree, civil discourse must be restored. Its hard, even I find myself from time to time descending into personal insults, which is not constructive. But the situation is now endemic, which is scary, that now the likes of Kathryn Maher, head of NPR, can say whatever she wants to vilify entire cohorts of people (i.e. straight white men). We really have to get a handle on this before the madness descends to a point where we cant reign it in.
“protests against policies of the Israeli government” Yes, of course, but they show their true colours soon enough. Such very often is a thin cover to virulent antisemitism, even when the discourse seems civil. There’s always a cover, religion at one time, science + race in the early 20th century, and now politics. The left doesn’t recognize it in themselves because they still think it’s the race argument that is the problem, which still exists on the extreme right, but even they take up politics as giving greater plausible deniability these days.
Thank you, Monica, for your strong words. I heartily agree.
My question is, where do we go from here? I doubt that the university administration will heed any recommendations by anyone.
What can be done to actually make change? Aside from scrapping the idea of attending, or defunding the universities at this point it seems like beginning afresh with a whole new structure such as UTA has done is a start?
In some ways it seems like overkill. How could this insane university attitude be reworked to instill security, and heterodox society and culture within?
Taking a step back from this particular example of hypocrisy, if we look at Academia and Higher Ed as a whole, it is clear that they enjoy a station in our society far above what they deserve. (OK. Some fields deserve respect, such as Medicine and STEM - but only as long as they are evidence-based and not ideology-based). Higher Ed rivals religious cults in sanctimonious quackery.
Consider that Academia, a product of Liberal Western Tradition, focuses much energy on decolonization and eliminating the effects of Western influence around the world. Can anyone spot the irony here?
Another dose of irony is these educational institutions churn out legions of uninformed student-protestors who know next to nothing about what they are protesting. The internet is full of videos of college protestors being unable to answer basic questions regarding the Israel - Palestine conflict. It's cute that college students think they will influence Netanyahu's government when they are so uneducated in the history of his nation.
A bit of unrelated irony: Universities have long been marketed as the best path into the Middle Class but as college enrollments have grown, the Middle Class has shrunk.
Why do we put up with these bozos?
(full disclosure - I am a college professor who is embarrassed on behalf of my colleagues).
Another great post, Monica! One thing though. Re: "As citizens in a free society, we should—and we must—advocate for truth and social justice. " How would we define "social justice", particularly how it differs from just plain "justice"? Thanks!
What the you know what is going on? It is insane! The administration of these particular colleges are spineless because they are afraid of their students. So sad. I am mad as hell!
I agree with the base line sentiment of this article, but i find the example of violence disingenuous. I don't think its clear AT ALL that that young man intentionally stabbed her in the eye. I think he could not really see her and was waving a little flag and accidentally hit her. And i think intention matters here when you choose to use this event as an example of "violence". i think hinging this article on that example undermines the important point you are trying to make, Monica. I don't know this to be true, but i imagine that, sadly, you could have found an actual clear example of intentional violence to make your point with.
Before 10/7 the constant complaint about our campuses was that the young ones were just too woke, too pro justice, too intolerant of conservative views.
So, you honestly believe that these same “social justice warriors” are suddenly a rabble of right wing, reactionary anti-semites?
How about maybe they are justifiably pissed off about a genocide unfolding before their very eyes, and it’s got nothing to do with religion?
I highly doubt that the protests are ‘against the policies ‘ of Israel. You know better. The protests are for the annihilation of Israel. They are explicitly pro Hamas. Don’t write bullshit.
Any antisemitism, such as it exists, is incidental to the campus protests (and protestors). The impetus of the growing and massive movement against Israel and for the Palestinians comes from the heart of today's hard leftist wokeism. Oppressor/oppressed is the operative metric here. Don't forget that.
This is a thoughtful, well written article espousing rational ideas that should be self evident. I appreciate it.
And, I so wish we could all get back to that kind of ideal. Never stop writing or believing in it.
The Ivy League universities created this mess.
The number of professors walking out in support of it is clear evidence of that.
The students and activists supporting it are naive tools in a much larger scheme.
It is at once frightening and incredibly sad.
It also angers me that none of them seem to have the skill set to see the difference between right and wrong or good and evil.
Never give up.
Why would you say that these protests began as "peaceful protests against policies of the Israeli government"? What evidence do you have that these protesters intentions were ever peaceful or that they were only protesting Israel government policy as opposed to the existence of Israel at all. When you base the premise of your entire article on something that simply isn't true, it makes the sentiment in the rest hard to believe.
Kumbaya is just pablum. There need to be strict consequences for actions that that violate individual freedoms. We are in this state of chaos expressly because people are not held accountable. We have laws. Enforce them. No more than excuses.
Actually, the behavior we're seeing from university people is very similar to what occurred in Germany during the 1920s and early 1930s. And I find it an interesting contrast between this and the heavy hand that was used in the 1980s when various campus protests took place, or what would happen if the protests happened to come from another side of the political spectrum.
And let's not forget this protest model was (successfully) practiced by a number of BLM supporters and the like not so many years ago. It's an established playbook, one they also copied (intentionally or otherwise) from earlier movements...just like their race-based focus and hatred. Just because they happen to call themselves Marxists doesn't make it so. They have far more in common with the National Socialists than they'd like to admit, and this current crop of students would do well to reflect on that reality as well.
I agree, civil discourse must be restored. Its hard, even I find myself from time to time descending into personal insults, which is not constructive. But the situation is now endemic, which is scary, that now the likes of Kathryn Maher, head of NPR, can say whatever she wants to vilify entire cohorts of people (i.e. straight white men). We really have to get a handle on this before the madness descends to a point where we cant reign it in.
“protests against policies of the Israeli government” Yes, of course, but they show their true colours soon enough. Such very often is a thin cover to virulent antisemitism, even when the discourse seems civil. There’s always a cover, religion at one time, science + race in the early 20th century, and now politics. The left doesn’t recognize it in themselves because they still think it’s the race argument that is the problem, which still exists on the extreme right, but even they take up politics as giving greater plausible deniability these days.
Well-written! Thank you!
Thank you, Monica, for your strong words. I heartily agree.
My question is, where do we go from here? I doubt that the university administration will heed any recommendations by anyone.
What can be done to actually make change? Aside from scrapping the idea of attending, or defunding the universities at this point it seems like beginning afresh with a whole new structure such as UTA has done is a start?
In some ways it seems like overkill. How could this insane university attitude be reworked to instill security, and heterodox society and culture within?
Taking a step back from this particular example of hypocrisy, if we look at Academia and Higher Ed as a whole, it is clear that they enjoy a station in our society far above what they deserve. (OK. Some fields deserve respect, such as Medicine and STEM - but only as long as they are evidence-based and not ideology-based). Higher Ed rivals religious cults in sanctimonious quackery.
Consider that Academia, a product of Liberal Western Tradition, focuses much energy on decolonization and eliminating the effects of Western influence around the world. Can anyone spot the irony here?
Another dose of irony is these educational institutions churn out legions of uninformed student-protestors who know next to nothing about what they are protesting. The internet is full of videos of college protestors being unable to answer basic questions regarding the Israel - Palestine conflict. It's cute that college students think they will influence Netanyahu's government when they are so uneducated in the history of his nation.
A bit of unrelated irony: Universities have long been marketed as the best path into the Middle Class but as college enrollments have grown, the Middle Class has shrunk.
Why do we put up with these bozos?
(full disclosure - I am a college professor who is embarrassed on behalf of my colleagues).
Another great post, Monica! One thing though. Re: "As citizens in a free society, we should—and we must—advocate for truth and social justice. " How would we define "social justice", particularly how it differs from just plain "justice"? Thanks!
The byline says that Monica Harris is "advisor" to FAIR. Isn't she Executive Director?
What the you know what is going on? It is insane! The administration of these particular colleges are spineless because they are afraid of their students. So sad. I am mad as hell!
I agree with the base line sentiment of this article, but i find the example of violence disingenuous. I don't think its clear AT ALL that that young man intentionally stabbed her in the eye. I think he could not really see her and was waving a little flag and accidentally hit her. And i think intention matters here when you choose to use this event as an example of "violence". i think hinging this article on that example undermines the important point you are trying to make, Monica. I don't know this to be true, but i imagine that, sadly, you could have found an actual clear example of intentional violence to make your point with.
Before 10/7 the constant complaint about our campuses was that the young ones were just too woke, too pro justice, too intolerant of conservative views.
So, you honestly believe that these same “social justice warriors” are suddenly a rabble of right wing, reactionary anti-semites?
How about maybe they are justifiably pissed off about a genocide unfolding before their very eyes, and it’s got nothing to do with religion?