Antisemitism on college campuses is still prevalent. I have discussed this situation in previous blogs but is still problematic. In fact, in my opinion it has metastasized into a full-blown existential crisis. It’s not just the students; it’s the faculty; and most disturbingly, it’s the administrators as well. As we know, many “protesters” are not even students but paid agitators. Even worse many are in the US illegally. They have no love for America, and will eagerly participate in any action to bring it down
In my opinion, the vile and violent demonstrations we see on tv and read about in the news are just the tip of the iceberg. The core of antisemitism has festered unchecked like a cancer in academia for decades, maybe forever.
In previous blogs I have denoted that antisemitism has been omnipresent in society throughout history. Often it has been covert, but in times of crisis like now it has bubbled to the surface like an erupting volcano. This is not just my opinion; it is a historical fact that can be verified easily if one cares to research it.
It has been overt on many college campuses the last few years due to the Israel-Hamas War in the ME, the timidity of the federal government leadership, and its reluctance to take decisive corrective action to penalize those responsible. Much of the mainstream media has been portraying Israel and the Jews as the aggressors and Hamas and the Palestinians as the victims. Of course, the opposite is true.
Most of the protestors have been gaslighted. The news they have been getting has been distorted. Probably, many of them are completely ignorant of the issues and the history of the region and could care less. I dare say, many of them could probably not even find Gaza on a map
The indifferent, if not hostile, attitude of the Biden Administration toward Jews, in general, and Israel, in particular, and its weak response to the violent demonstrations have given “cover” to and emboldened the crazies. They have sensed that they had free rein and would not be punished by either the college administrators or the federal government for their actions, and until now they have been correct.
This has been and will continue to be an ongoing crisis, but some of the recent developments include:
- As reported in the NY Post US government officials have stated that some 60 colleges are presently being investigated for alleged religious discrimination. That is a significant number, and it is indicative of a long-running, persistent and widespread problem.
- These colleges are failing in their primary mission, which is provide an atmosphere in which ALL students can receive a quality education. That includes, among other things, a free and unfettered exchange of ideas and beliefs.
- In my view, many Dems have been and are continuing to avoid criticizing these violent protestors for political reasons. They feel they need the support of the far left in order to win elections. I have long maintained that the worst offender is Senate Majority Leader Chuck (the “Chameleon”) Schumer. He is Jewish and represents NYS, the electorate of which is heavily Jewish. He should be at the forefront of supporting Israel and the Jews, and yet as I have written in previous blogs, in my view he has remained silent and, at times, even hostile to them. To me, that is inexplicable and unconscionable.
- Many Dems have been defending Mahmoud Khalil, an unabashed terrorist, who was recently picked up by ICE and slated to be deported. Supposedly, Khalil is a graduate student at Columbia University, but in reality, he is also a known terrorist and is one of the leaders of the current violent protests. Many Dems have made him into a symbol of free speech being denied. His actions are indefensible, yet, for some unfathomable reason many Dems have been rushing to his defense. They have been touting him as a victim. Have they lost their minds!? Perhaps, or maybe it is yet another example of TDS by which Dems feel they must oppose any Trump action regardless of what it is.
- Today, the NY Post reported that a second anti-Israel demonstrator at Columbia has been picked up. Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian, is allegedly guilty of overstaying his student visa and other immigration -related violations.
- The Dems’ defense of Khalil’s civil rights is especially perplexing since they have failed to support the civil rights of Laken Reilly, Jocelyn Nungaray, and the many other women and children who were raped and murdered by illegal aliens thus depriving them of their civil rights. Their message is that your civil rights depend on which side of the political spectrum you are on.
- Similarly, at Trump’s recent speech before a joint session of Congress they refused to acknowledge and honor individuals such as the 13-year-old who had beaten brain cancer, the orphan of a slain law enforcement officer who was accepted into West Point, and various widows of slain police officers. This mixed messaging is reminiscent of a quote by John Feinstein, a sportswriter of some renown. Bobby Knight, a well-known college basketball coach who did not mince words, once called Feinstein a “whore and a pimp.” Feinstein quipped, “I wish he’d make up his mind, so I would know how to dress.” Similarly, the Dems have to decide if they are for or against civil rights.
Conclusion
President Trump has inherited a very dangerous situation. As described above, many, if not most, college campuses are in a racial crisis. Jewish students’ civil rights are being violated on a regular basis, physically, mentally and emotionally. Many Jews have taken to hiding their “Jewishness,” i.e. jewelry such as mezuzahs and Stars of David, for their own safety. Moreover, it is likely that many Jews and non-Jews are eschewing these universities in favor of ones with a more tolerant religious climate.
Non-Jews should not make the mistake of assuming they will be safe. History has shown repeatedly that like the Nazis of 1930s Germany, the communists of Soviet Russia, and other extremist groups Muslim radicals will not be satisfied with just discriminating against the Jews. If left unchecked, they will move on to all other people whom they consider not to be “true believers,” such as Catholics, Protestants and even moderate Muslims.
On many campuses the situation has deteriorated to such an extent on that students who want to go to classes or the library are being precluded from doing so. They or their parents are paying tens of thousands of dollars per year for a quality education, and they are not getting it. I’m surprised more parents have not protested.
To no one’s surprise the Trump Administration has demonstrated the guts to take college administrators to task. Many of them have been dragged before Congressional committees to defend their discriminatory policies; DOJ and ICE personnel have begun to investigate, detain, prosecute and deport the perpetrators; the Administration has commenced to withhold federal funding where appropriate. The cancelation of $400,000 of Columbia’s federal grants and contracts is likely just the beginning. Trump’s actions will affect these colleges not only financially but reputationally as well.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s well deserved and long overdue.
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 