.....Our pal Jason often sends us wonderful photos of events at UCI, just up the road. He's definitely a guy with a point of view--and his eyes are open.
.....He seems particularly disgusted with some of what went on in the last few days, which he dubs, "Hate Week."
.....As we reported three days ago, the Muslim Student Union presented "Israeli Apartheid Week" at the university.
.....Jason said he observed a fair amount of bullying--and some verbal push back--during the event, some of which is documented in these photos.
.....Included below: a message to students from UCI Chancellor Drake.
Late Saturday, UCI Chancellor Michael Drake sent the following message to students:
As I often do when events occur that breach our university's
commitment to values and civility, I feel a necessity to speak out.
I'm speaking today of the offensive remarks supporting terrorism made
during the question period following a noontime lecture at the
flagpole on Thursday.
The past week included several speeches, lectures and discussions
providing opposing views on the Middle East conflict, one of the
world's most troubling confrontations. Much of what was said was the
type of discourse on a difficult issue that is the hallmark of an
educational institution committed to an exchange of ideas. Some of
these views are very difficult and offensive to listen to. As is the
case on all campuses, events sponsored by campus organizations and
visitors may feature ideas and opinions that can be starkly different
from ours. But as we know, it is nevertheless incumbent upon us to
protect the freedom of speech of those who visit our campus to express
their views, even when we disagree.
Let me be clear: we condemn the speaker's endorsement of terrorism.
Nothing could be more contrary to our fundamental values and our
commitment to dialogue and democratic rule, not violence. We are an
educational institution that promotes, practices and teaches
tolerance; these remarks supporting terrorism were deplorable.
As a public university our free speech venue is open to a broad range
of views, and we're a stronger campus for doing that. But we will
never allow ourselves to be defined by the outside views of others.
They may speak here, but they don't speak for us.
Chancellor Michael Drake
5 comments:
I'm disappointed in the seemingly blind support for Israel and the UCI Chancellor displayed in this blog post, the unquestioning repetition of the chancellor's characterization of student remarks without reporting the original remarks, the broad labeling of the event as "hate week" without providing any empirical evidence, unless criticizing Israel's policies toward the Palestinians is, by definition, "hateful". This highlights the difference between real journalism and blogging.
Do calm yourself, 6:22. We reported on this event earlier, and, as I recall, we excerpted a Reg article that included quotations. If you examine my edit of that article, you'll see that I certainly did not edit it on behalf of Israel.
Jason called the week "Hate week," but I did not report and I do not know why he called it that. Possibly, he saw hate on both sides, though I must admit that, in the PR "contest," the pro-Palestine side seems intent on counter-productivity. That assessment, of course, is not an assessment of whether the status quo is just. I rather doubt that it is.
The reason that Drake responded as he did was specifically because of remarks that seemed to condone terrorist acts. He was not condemning a pro-Palestine position. He was condemning terrorism.
You should follow the link to all of Jason's photos (click on Jason's name in the post). You'll see a pretty interesting event that is largely civilized, if not enlightening.
Please note that I have not weighed in on this particular issue, though I have noted displeasure with certain tactics. Do keep separate issues separate.
Beyond anything else that might be said about these tactics, they are counter-productive. That is my view about them. Some of them are also ugly.
Whether the Palestinians are treated justly is another matter entirely.
Please note that we posted the obscure story about Noam Chomsky's being denied entry into Israel. Someone like you, on the other side, will no doubt accuse me of being biased against Israel.
Sheesh
I don't have a textbook definition for hate. But I will say that, when two people, wearing different colored shirts, cannot speak to each other calmly, rationally, and in a coherent, respectful manner--because of issues thousands of miles away, then that issue between them is influenced by unnecessary and impersonal hate.
When the two shirts fail to understand that they both breathe the same air, attend the same university, and are mostly unaffected on a personal level the issues they represent, then communication fails also.
There was little more tan stubborn unwillingness to move beyond what could not be controlled, and an unwillingness to at least act civil with disagreeances.
Oh, but there was plenty of bullying and quite a bit of intimidation (verbal, and group). When is social division anything but hate?
Each shirt derides the other. Emotions entangle and cloud their judgment, and nothing--including fruitful, honest, and intellectual conversation can be achieved.
Nothing is gained.
As an observer, I watched both sides. As an outsider, I don't have a side. My lens captures the human element.
When a campus organization sponsors a guest speaker who calls for the systematic destruction of Israel, it is hard to spin that as anything other than hate.
Why do I refer to it as hate week?
There was no love; only division. No progress, only unresolved conflict to mirror the international scene.
Lastly, please don't assume my use of the phrase "hate week" applies only to the MSU. Hate is deplorable for both sides.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fenominal/sets/72157623942730503/
Well put, Jason.
-Yama
In any event, I do love the photos. You do seem to "catch" a lot.
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