Regarding Anti-Muslim Hate

“The recent wave of anti-Semitic violence and bigotry in New York City and the nation is the latest manifestation of a climate of hate that has increasingly infected the country in recent years.

“It is a poison of xenophobia and intolerance that has targeted virtually every racial, religious and ethnic minority — from the Islamophobia that followed the attacks of 9/11 and still rears its ugly head today, to the despicable acts of violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) during the pandemic. It has become intertwined with the extremist political violence we saw at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. We continue to denounce this deplorable behavior and work against the hatred that feeds it.

“The uptick of incidents against American Jews in recent weeks is ostensibly a reaction to intensified conflicts in the Middle East. The conflict has also triggered acts of hatred against Muslims. But make no mistake: There is never a time when violence against members of any religious or ethnic group, or their places of worship, can be accepted as a response to even the most heated political disagreement. It is no longer enough to simply say that we don’t condone such behavior in our campuses; we must actively condemn those who express their anger through violence.

“CUNY, which is arguably the country’s most diverse University, has not been immune to these tensions. Over the past five years we have taken concrete steps to elevate dialogue and build bridges between people of different backgrounds and political passions. Our Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding at Queens College (CERRU), for instance, addresses the perils of racial and ethnic stereotyping and scapegoating through workshops, panel discussions and programs. Likewise, in all our CUNY campuses we have programs, initiatives, and courses that promote difficult conversations, tolerance, and civic engagement. And with the support of a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, we are reimagining our academic programs in Black, race and ethnic studies.

“It is incumbent on all of us in higher education to commit to examining through our teaching the roots of anti-Semitism, extremism and hate, and dismantling the many manifestations of bigotry that have emerged and continue to spread. Disagreement and discord may be inevitable features of our diverse and heterogeneous society, but hate is never acceptable.”

Original Post on cuny.edu

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Dear students, staff, and faculty,

Last week, an anti-Muslim hate group from California placed a handful of posters on recycling bins on the Brooklyn College campus. The posters identified two faculty members and nine students by name, alleging that they were “terrorist supporters.” These faculty members and students have in the past advocated for Palestinian causes.

The same group placed similar posters at a number of other universities, including the University of Chicago and UC Berkeley, again identifying by name those on their campuses who have advocated for Palestinian causes.

At Brooklyn College, we condemn this targeted intimidation. It seeks to defame and silence specific individuals for their political opinions by placing them at risk for further harassment and abuse. We reject these tactics, especially in the context of an academic community, where robust discourse on matters of great public import is central to our educational project.

Our students, staff, and faculty have the right to advocate for both popular and unpopular beliefs under the First Amendment. They have the right to express political opinions in an atmosphere free from hate and targeted intimidation.

At Brooklyn College, we do not just condemn acts that contradict our core beliefs. We actively seek to shape an environment that celebrates our diverse campus community. This semester, we are again launching the “We Stand Against Hate” series that was successful last spring. This series is designed to express our ongoing commitment to elevating dialogue, embracing complexity on challenging issues, and enhancing understanding and compassion across difference.

The first event of the series will be tomorrow, October 3, from 12:30-2 p.m. in the Tanger Auditorium in the library, where an attorney from Citizenship Now! will discuss immigration legal services for DACA students and students with green cards. The session, co-sponsored by the Wolfe Institute and the Graduate Center for Worker Education, will help ensure that immigrant students at Brooklyn College can pursue their studies with a full understanding of their rights. Please stay tuned for more events in the “We Stand Against Hate” series.

Let us stand together against any efforts to pull us apart.

Yours sincerely,

Michelle J. Anderson
President, Brooklyn College

An Important Message from the President

Dear campus community members,

Recently, the photograph of one of our Muslim students featured on a study abroad poster was defaced in an ugly, disrespectful manner. This was a deplorable act.

A year ago, I wrote to you about the troubling anti-Semitic graffiti found in two locations on campus. At that time, I emphasized the importance of upholding our collective commitment to a respectful learning environment in which hateful messages towards any ethnic, cultural, religious or racial group are not tolerated.

I reiterate today that intolerance in any form is deeply contrary to our vision and values. We know that we are made stronger by our diversity. It is up to each one of us to ensure that all are treated with respect and dignity.

Sincerely,

Karen L. Gould
President