Sunday, July 27, 2008

My Letter to The Nation

In regards to the on-going controversy over anti-Semitism at UC-Irvine, the liberal publication, The Nation, recently published an article by UCI professor, Jon Wiener, in which he attributes the transfer of a Jewish professor (Daniel Schroeter) from UCI to the University of Minnesota to pressure from "right-wing Zionists" in the UCI community who allegedly put undue pressure on Schroeter to speak out about anti-Semitism at UCI. Wiener also blames "right-wing Zionists" for fanning the flames at UCI and basically defended the university administration. His article may be viewed at:

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20080707/wiener

This week, I assisted UCI Professor Seymour Menton in sending a critical response to Wiener's article through The Nation's blog. It also may be viewed on The Nation's blog.

This morning, I have sent my own response to The Nation, which is below:


"As one who has been a part-time teacher at the University of California at Irvine since 1998, I would like to respond to Jon Wiener’s recent article in your publication on the on-going issue between the Muslim Student Union (MSU) and Irvine‘s Jewish community.

Leaving aside the controversy over Daniel Schroeter‘s decision to leave UCI, an issue I am not qualified to comment on, there is no question in my mind from my own observations over the years at UCI that the MSU has been guilty of bringing radical, hateful speakers to UCI over the years. Many of these speakers are not only anti-Israel, but anti-Jewish and anti-America as well. Anti-Semitism (on the part of the MSU) is a problem at UCI. To borrow a line from professor Wiener, I should know. I teach there too.

Virtually every quarter, the MSU brings in Oakland based imam, Amir Abdel Malik Ali. This is a man who not only condemns Israel and the US, but calls suicide bombers in Israel heroes and martyrs. He defends organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Another controversial speaker is Abdul Alim Musa, a Washington-based imam, who is an ally of the above two organizations and Iran. He speaks of the day when Islam will take over the US.

Then there is Mohammed Al-Asi, another frequent speaker at UCI sponsored by the MSU. This imam is also a supporter of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Iranian Government. In previous speeches at UCI, he has referred to Jews as “low life ghetto dwellers” and said, “you can take the Jew out of the ghetto, but you can’t take the ghetto out of the Jew.” In his last appearance at UCI in May, in which I was present, he gave ominous warnings to the Jews to get out of “Palestine” before it is too late. (I am paraphrasing.)

Also, during the MSU-sponsored events in May, they erected a mock wall depicting the wall Israel has erected to keep out suicide bombers. On that wall were numerous photos, phrases and slogans. Most notably, there was a cartoon depiction of Ariel Sharon drawn in the old style of Julius Streicher’s Der Stuermer, a notorious anti-Semitic newspaper of the Third Reich. The picture showed Sharon with all the stereotypical Jewish features, huge hooked nose, big lips and a leering expression on his face. That drawing remained there for an entire week.

These are examples of why I consider the MSU to be sympathetic to terrorism directed against Israel and to be anti-Semitic (though they deny it).

In addition, I have nothing but criticism for the administration at UCI. They deny charges of anti-Semitism at UCI and defend “free speech”. I too defend free speech. No one is dragging these hateful characters off to jail and I don’t advocate that. However, I call this what it is-hate speech. I also believe that the UCI administration has been indifferent to Jewish complaints of anti-Semitism at the university. They have failed to provide a safe and peaceful environment for their Jewish students.

Wiener, in his article, passes off complaints as coming from “right-wing” Zionists” and three Republican senators. His repeated use of the term, “right-wing Zionists” betrays his political agenda. Anti-Semitic hate speech should not be an issue of liberal vs. conservative nor an item of concern for only Jewish Zionists. Reasonable people can disagree on the Israeli-Palestinian issue. However, for this issue to lead to expressions of anti-Jewish sentiment on an American campus is wrong.

As I have stated repeatedly, 99% of the students at UCI are not involved in this ugliness. There are two problems; a radical MSU and an indifferent administration and faculty . As a result, what should be a great university has acquired a notorious national reputation-which, as far as I am concerned, it deserves.

Gary C Fouse
Adjunct teacher
University of California Ext"

2 comments:

  1. Hey Gary,

    I read both your letter and the article that you linked to. It's unfortunate that some people are blowing certain aspects of the situation out of proportion - mainly because your ultimate point is correct - what those people are engaging in is hate speech. No two ways about that.

    I guess what I'm wondering, and forgive me if you've already covered this and I just don't remember, is what do you propose be done about this? I mean, hate speech, while vile, is protected speech. Do you think that these people should not be allowed to speak on college campuses? Or, is it just that you wish the administration would be a little bit more selective as to whom they allow.

    It's a tricky issue, and I don't think that I have a good solution to it either. One thing is for sure, you don't want to make these people into martyrs. Personally, after seeing the interview with that one guy who came off not just hateful but also as an idiot, I think that if we let them speak, their own stupidity will eventually damn them. Perhaps I'm being naive though.

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  2. Lance,

    Yes, the free speech issue is tricky. To me the ultimate test of free speech is people being arrested for what they say. I never advocated that. My question-and I suppose it is a question- is whether the university is obligated to provide a forum for haters. At what point can a university tell certain people that they are not welcome on campus?

    At the very least, the university could ask itself why it takes student tuition fees to give to the MSU-which it does-to put on these hate-filled forums.

    This university does not even raise its voice against these speakers. Every quarter, Jewish students have to put up with a day or a week of these events.

    In all probability, the Constitution is one the side of these yahoos, so my answer is what I am doing-bringing the problem to the attention of the public. This cannot be allowed to happen in the shadows. If enough people are aware, if Jewish students decide not to attend UCI, if alumni contributions dry up, maybe something will change

    At any rate, this MSU is a radical group that supports terrorism directed at Israel-and is silent on terrorism directed at the US.

    I will continue to do everything I can to bring it to the attention of the public-even if they can me.

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