@Yaacov Lyons- thank you for a brilliant- and illuminating- yes, intentional pun there- article. It never ceases to amaze me how Jew hatred has become so mainstream, so blase, so ..gentrified. Ah yes. the Eternal Problem- the Jew. Well THIS Jew ain't taking it lying down! We will fight. We will win. Amen. Many "great" nations are now in the dustbin of history. We, the Jewish people, are still here. So, to Jew haters everywhere- we will find you. You will rot into oblivion. you will become obscure, forgotten. Not soon enough, but we Jews have always had patience. Am Y'Israel Chai!
If they allowed free speech, they wouldn’t be where they are. Hate, misinformation, lack of meaning all elicit pushback, if you allow it. The atmosphere that condones genocide is only possible when one viewpoint is allowed, and encouraged, to shout out all others.
brilliant essay that I read in my loungewear, angry horrified loungewear. Perhaps that DEI academic leaders in what once was generally respected institutions can support genocide of Jews was also causative in Hamas’ wanton rape slaughter and baby baking and baby beheading. After all, maybe they they could get credit at Harvard for contextual rape murder of Jewish human beings. So why not? (sarcasm)
@YaacovLyons- well, the Comments represent quite a smattering of different views!
Here's the thing for me...
1. Replace "Jew" with any other minority- Blacks, Asians, Muslims etc- and now ask the question. Do we have ANY idea what the backlash would be if you asked 'Is calling for GENOCIDE against the Muslims....?" We all know the answer. o.K. here is a shameless plug for MY Substack article Go the TheVLine Vivienne Ziner- y'all can tell me what you think about my articles too! #AmYIsraelChai
This is so true. Somebody did an AI-assisted dubbing of a video from that hearing and put those terms in the mouths of the participants instead of the word Jews. It was hilarious!
I'd take the opposite idea from this too: this goes both ways. A lofty goal must be automatically assumed wrong when the means to its end are immoral.
"By any means necessary" and some academic folk have dropped morality as a relevant or deciding factor on individual actions or situations, leaving morality only for an elusive greater good. But a sum must be judged by its parts.
My problem here is this - I find the contempt and hatred for Jews to be scary and disappointing, to say the least. I think there is a real issue here.
However, these college administrators were in a no-win situation. Administrators weren't being asked how they felt about these comments, or if they were moral. They were specifically asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews ran afoul of the schools' anti-harassment policies.
The truth is, it depends! Nobody was asking whether calling for the genocide of Jews is disgusting or depraved, but whether it violated a specific rule at the school.
Popehat did an excellent breakdown and concluded - well, it depends.
The smirking was unforgivable. No one actually answers questions at a congressional hearing. But to seem to be laughing at the representatives of the United States government is hard to unsee.
Let me add, the whole thing was just a dog and pony show. The questions weren't being asked in good faith. I also think the administrators were more concerned over how they appeared, and if whether their answers would provide ammunition to students, professors, and administrators.
It's also notable that schools are suddenly finding their support for free speech again.
All you have to do is imagine the same question, just about any other minority group. Do you really think they would have answered in the same way?
I happen to think there is a strong argument for Free Speech absolutism on campuses. But lets keep it real, thats not what these people want. It's not even close.
Do I think they would have answered in the same way? I’m not sure. I get your point though, and I agree - universities have taken plenty of positions on topics like these before. It’s only now that they’ve decided to remain quiet. It’s only now that they’ve found their support for free speech.
Those things are all true, yet it it still the case that calls for genocide may still be protected speech, depending on the context.
Your agreeing with Penny resolves the issue of this thread. It also resolves the larger issue, but no-one is listening because after all, Jews are white and privileged.
I'm puzzled by your understanding of the Hanukah story. I was told it was about Jews hiding in a cave with only one jug of oil to give them light for eight days.
@Yaacov Lyons- thank you for a brilliant- and illuminating- yes, intentional pun there- article. It never ceases to amaze me how Jew hatred has become so mainstream, so blase, so ..gentrified. Ah yes. the Eternal Problem- the Jew. Well THIS Jew ain't taking it lying down! We will fight. We will win. Amen. Many "great" nations are now in the dustbin of history. We, the Jewish people, are still here. So, to Jew haters everywhere- we will find you. You will rot into oblivion. you will become obscure, forgotten. Not soon enough, but we Jews have always had patience. Am Y'Israel Chai!
Thank you! Chag Sameiach!
Amen! Amen! Amen!
If they allowed free speech, they wouldn’t be where they are. Hate, misinformation, lack of meaning all elicit pushback, if you allow it. The atmosphere that condones genocide is only possible when one viewpoint is allowed, and encouraged, to shout out all others.
This!!
Rivka, you should expand on this. Idea for your next post maybe?
brilliant essay that I read in my loungewear, angry horrified loungewear. Perhaps that DEI academic leaders in what once was generally respected institutions can support genocide of Jews was also causative in Hamas’ wanton rape slaughter and baby baking and baby beheading. After all, maybe they they could get credit at Harvard for contextual rape murder of Jewish human beings. So why not? (sarcasm)
“The mind is a great tool but a poor master.”
@YaacovLyons- well, the Comments represent quite a smattering of different views!
Here's the thing for me...
1. Replace "Jew" with any other minority- Blacks, Asians, Muslims etc- and now ask the question. Do we have ANY idea what the backlash would be if you asked 'Is calling for GENOCIDE against the Muslims....?" We all know the answer. o.K. here is a shameless plug for MY Substack article Go the TheVLine Vivienne Ziner- y'all can tell me what you think about my articles too! #AmYIsraelChai
This is so true. Somebody did an AI-assisted dubbing of a video from that hearing and put those terms in the mouths of the participants instead of the word Jews. It was hilarious!
I'd take the opposite idea from this too: this goes both ways. A lofty goal must be automatically assumed wrong when the means to its end are immoral.
"By any means necessary" and some academic folk have dropped morality as a relevant or deciding factor on individual actions or situations, leaving morality only for an elusive greater good. But a sum must be judged by its parts.
When nuance moves in, the Jews lose out.
My problem here is this - I find the contempt and hatred for Jews to be scary and disappointing, to say the least. I think there is a real issue here.
However, these college administrators were in a no-win situation. Administrators weren't being asked how they felt about these comments, or if they were moral. They were specifically asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews ran afoul of the schools' anti-harassment policies.
The truth is, it depends! Nobody was asking whether calling for the genocide of Jews is disgusting or depraved, but whether it violated a specific rule at the school.
Popehat did an excellent breakdown and concluded - well, it depends.
https://popehat.substack.com/p/stop-demanding-dumb-answers-to-hard
The smirking was unforgivable. No one actually answers questions at a congressional hearing. But to seem to be laughing at the representatives of the United States government is hard to unsee.
Let me add, the whole thing was just a dog and pony show. The questions weren't being asked in good faith. I also think the administrators were more concerned over how they appeared, and if whether their answers would provide ammunition to students, professors, and administrators.
It's also notable that schools are suddenly finding their support for free speech again.
All you have to do is imagine the same question, just about any other minority group. Do you really think they would have answered in the same way?
I happen to think there is a strong argument for Free Speech absolutism on campuses. But lets keep it real, thats not what these people want. It's not even close.
Do I think they would have answered in the same way? I’m not sure. I get your point though, and I agree - universities have taken plenty of positions on topics like these before. It’s only now that they’ve decided to remain quiet. It’s only now that they’ve found their support for free speech.
Those things are all true, yet it it still the case that calls for genocide may still be protected speech, depending on the context.
Hi Penny, I like your blog.
I agree with your point but I'm not sure how that resolves the issue.
Your agreeing with Penny resolves the issue of this thread. It also resolves the larger issue, but no-one is listening because after all, Jews are white and privileged.
I'm puzzled by your understanding of the Hanukah story. I was told it was about Jews hiding in a cave with only one jug of oil to give them light for eight days.