In my lifetime, a lot of positive changes have occurred in our social order. For the most part, discrimination against groups has been deemed unacceptable, though, of course, individuals are individual. Still, while most groups are legally protected, Jews have never been. We may not have death camps, require the wearing of a Star of David, or restrict the activities and movement of Jewish Americans, but the antisemitism we do have has risen to a disturbing level, with too many people believing it is okay.
Growing up in a largely Jewish community (Wilmette, IL), Christians were the minority, but the difference only showed up on Jewish holidays, where they had to bring in teachers from Chicago, as most teachers and students had taken the day off. Day to day, no one cared. I grew up not being completely clear which carols were for Christmas and which for Hannukah. We happily played with a dreidel while decorating the tree. I enjoyed my friends’ Seders. Different customs were interesting, not concerning.
The University Problem
Many people will tell you that a lot of their opinions and views were honed during their time in college. What you learn there matters. Having major universities tiptoe around the problem of attacks against Jews, promoting instead the radical Hamas-love is a serious problem. It is simply not acceptable.
Harvard is a leader in this area, but doesn’t stand alone. You can hardly go to a major university without seeing the PLO flag, students improperly garbed in kaffiyehs and shouting insults at fellow students. Were Muslims or Blacks to be treated this way, university leaders would surely punish the offenders. But they are ignoring the problem, as if to say they view Jews as a legitimate target.
I went to Cal during the early ‘70’s and saw protests and rioting, but it was mostly still about the Viet Nam war with some SDS action. No one was targeted; it felt safe to go about the campus ignoring the furor. In fact, one year, the apathy party won the student council elections, which felt good. We were there to learn, not to go nuts.
As a student, you have certain rights, but they do not include: occupying buildings and common areas, attacks verbal and physical against other students, and creating an environment that makes Jewish and Israeli students feel unsafe and unwelcome. Would such behavior be tolerated if it were aimed at Black students? Women? I think not.
There are litmus tests now at schools where non-Jewish students are supposed to “raise the flag” by denouncing Israel or be ostracized. Social acceptance can feel very important when you’re a student; this pressure is intimidating and unacceptable. When your school leaders and teachers are telling you it’s okay to behave this way and force your opinions on others, it can be compelling. We had a biochemistry professor who graded final exams with political questions to show your fealty. We all knew, and carefully avoided him, but when the problem is more rampant, you don’t have any options.
This must stop. The personal politics of university leaders and teachers must not be allowed to destroy the education of a group of students.
Appropriate Recourse
President Trump is right in trying to eliminate government funding of such institutions as Harvard. First of all, Harvard has a LOT of money from donors. They shouldn’t be reliant on taxpayer money. But when a school is blatantly allowing antisemitism to flourish, they no longer deserve to be considered an elite academy. Yes, it may hurt research and damage careers. If these administrators, educators and researchers care about funding, they should make sure the university sticks to its charter: education. Perhaps they should lose their charter too, if they continue to ignore their responsibilities.
Protestors whose behavior has made it difficult or impossible for Jewish or Israeli students to attend classes, move about the campus and feel safe should be kicked out of school, at the very least. The worst offenders should be taken to court and sued. There has to be zero tolerance for this behavior.
Teachers or administrators who proselytize their personal views should be fired, tenure or not. That isn’t their job.
There has to be some education regarding world politics. While many feel sympathy for the people in Gaza, they also have to realize that they elected Hamas to run their country. It’s a terrorist group. You can wish for those affected to be protected in some way, but it’s up to Hamas to do this, not Israel. After all, Israel has papered the skies with flyers on when they plan to bomb. It’s Hamas that hides their military under schools and hospitals. Why do any support this group? They need to be obliterated. And as such, this means the people who live under their rule will suffer.
The Left is using our colleges as indoctrination camps and this has to stop. They love that this is happening; they can see the useful idiots they have created, hoping they will always vote Democrat because they have been brainwashed. Karl Marx would be proud.
It saddens me that these protestors have completely ignored what Hamas did to Jews back in that initial attack. That’s who these terrorists are. And too many people living there support them. Nothing Israel has ever done measures down to that level of disgusting, hideous behavior. All the IDF has done is try to protect their small country.
I hope and pray that massive change is possible. But antisemitism is an active virus and too many are afflicted.
I’m delighted to say that I don’t understand even slightly the basis of this antisemitism. I would not have imagined in my lifetime that I would ever witness the Jewish community be subjected to this kind of rhetoric and violence again. I’m truly shocked. And you’re spot on correct about no other group having to tolerate this treatment. Tangentially, the true mission of higher education, or so I thought, has been set aside to indoctrinate students. The “dumbing down” of America is real. Very sad….